A total of 386 public servants faced disciplinary action for various forms of misconduct during the 2025/2026 fiscal year, including 123 who were dismissed from public service, according to the National Public Service Commission.
Barnabé Sebagabo Muhire, the commission's acting chairperson, presented the figures to a joint sitting of both chambers of Parliament on Wednesday, October 21, outlining disciplinary cases as well as irregularities in recruitment and the management of public servants.
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Failure to perform duties properly was the most frequently reported offence, involving 113 employees. Other cases included abandoning work, misuse of state property and absence from work without permission.
The presentation did not specify which offences led to the dismissal of the 123 public servants. 91 public servants received reprimands. Another 88 were suspended for three months without pay, 53 for one month without pay, 21 received severe reprimands and 10 were suspended for two months without pay.
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Failure to perform duties tops reported offences
According to the commission’s figures, 113 employees were reported for failing to perform their duties properly, while 58 were cited for abandoning work.
Another 46 cases involved embezzlement or misuse of state property, while 34 employees were reported for being absent from work without permission.
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The commission received disciplinary reports from 61 of the 112 public institutions expected to submit them.
Recruitment irregularities identified
The commission also reported irregularities in recruitment and staff placement, including cases in which candidates were appointed to positions without the required academic qualifications or certificates.
Some candidates reportedly began working before obtaining their degrees, relying on provisional documents issued before graduation.
Muhire highlighted examination malpractice, cases of candidates sitting recruitment examinations despite being blacklisted, and inconsistencies between names appearing on certificates.
"The regulations allow candidates to sit for examinations, but those who have not yet obtained their degrees should be placed on a waiting list until they present the academic qualification,” he said.
The presentation also cited cases involving foreign employees whose contracts had expired or had not been renewed, as well as employees who had not received certain employment-related entitlements.
During the discussion, MP Yvonne Mujawabega questioned whether the qualifications required for some public service positions were appropriate for the responsibilities involved.
She cited a school-feeding specialist position that reportedly specified a background in law, raising concerns about whether the stated qualifications matched the duties of the job.
Her remarks highlighted the need to ensure that job descriptions and qualification requirements reflect the actual responsibilities of public servants.
MPs call for outstanding recommendations to be implemented
Senator Télesphore Ngarambe acknowledged progress in implementing the commission’s recommendations but urged institutions to address those that remained outstanding.
"There has been progress in implementing the commission’s recommendations, which now stands at 96 per cent. The remaining recommendations should also be addressed,” Ngarambe said.
The report indicated that implementation of the commission’s decisions had reached 98.1 per cent.
It also said that 1,370 candidates on waiting lists were recruited during the 2025/2026 fiscal year. The approach was presented as a way to fill available positions without repeating recruitment examinations, thereby reducing recruitment costs.