JOBS BAZAAR! Thousands Cry Foul as ‘Bigwigs Hijack’ Uganda Cancer Institute Recruitment
By Pepper Intelligence Unit
A full-blown recruitment storm is shaking the Uganda Cancer Institute, with thousands of job seekers crying foul over what insiders describe as a deeply compromised hiring process allegedly riddled with favoritism, manipulation, and shadowy influence from powerful figures within and outside the institution.
What was advertised as a nationwide opportunity to strengthen cancer care under External Advert No. 2/2025 has instead turned into a pressure cooker of tension, suspicion, and quiet anger—now drawing the attention of the Inspectorate of Government.
Highly placed sources at the IGG, State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) and Police CID have confirmed to RedPepper that they are closely monitoring every step of the ongoing recruitment exercise.
The recruitment, advertised under External Advert No. 2/2025, was meant to strengthen cancer care services across Kampala, Mbarara, and Gulu. The institute, established under the Uganda Cancer Institute Act, 2016, carries the heavy mandate of managing cancer treatment, prevention, research, and training nationwide.
The massive recruitment drive attracted overwhelming interest from across the country, with thousands applying for a limited number of highly coveted positions in one of Uganda’s most critical health institutions.
But what was expected to be a transparent hiring process has instead turned into a battlefield of accusations, with insiders painting a picture of a system allegedly riddled with influence peddling, internal fights, and backdoor dealings.
Focus is on Human Resource Manager Hellen Akello, who has been entrusted with overseeing the entire exercise. Also frequently mentioned to be assisting Akello (not clear under what technical capacity) are Pauline Mukago, the Senior Hospital Administrator, and Dr. Godfrey Osinde, who heads the Nuclear Medicine department. The trio, according to sources, are allegedly operating under the watch of Executive Director Dr. Jackson Oryem.
They are not accused of any wrongdoing—but they are the ones steering the recruitment process.
The scale of the recruitment itself is staggering—and so are the concerns.
In Kampala alone, 566 applicants were shortlisted for just 8 Assistant Nursing Officer positions, while a massive 406 candidates are battling for only 4 Medical Officer slots. The Economist position attracted 167 shortlisted candidates, ICT Officer drew 74 for only 2 positions, while 91 hopefuls are chasing just 3 Counsellor slots.
For Communication Officer, 38 were shortlisted, while Cancer Registry roles saw 36 candidates competing for only 2 positions.
But it is the pattern in highly specialized roles that has raised the loudest alarm bells.
For Consultant Nuclear Medicine Physician, only one candidate—Dr. William Kane Olwit—was shortlisted despite the institute needing three people. Similarly, Dr. Godfrey Osinde stands as the only shortlisted candidate for Consultant Radiopharmacist, raising questions about how such critical roles attracted so few—or were filtered down to so few.
In Surgery, 10 candidates including Dr. Zake Derick, Dr. Ssekabembe Richard, Dr. Ntege Arnold, Dr. Munyaga Byanjo Moses, Dr. Elias Tuhairwe, Dr. Kiconco Mary Begumya, Dr. Irene Acen, Dr. Dennis Okwir, and Serumaga Timothy Arthur are fighting for just one slot.
In Gynecology, 11 specialists including Dr. Semambo Geoffrey Edwin, Dr. Masereka Daniel, Dr. Teituk Abdullahi, Ochuga Patrick Olanya, Dr. Muhumuza Amos, Dr. Akello Agness Rebecca, Dr. Byaruhanga Paul, Dr. Peace Adupa, Dr. Mutesasira Sharon, Dr. Peter Gimel, and Dr. Tugume Rodgers are competing for a single position.
For Pediatric Oncology, only four were shortlisted—Joanitor Nakisuyi, Dr. Ahabwenki Rosemary, Dr. Paparu Lydia Dramani, and Dr. Namusisi Jane—for just one job.
In Ophthalmology, two candidates—Dr. Irene Nansubuga and Dr. Naiga Magembe Hawa—are competing for one slot, while Pathology has two applicants, Nabulya Ritah and Martha Kirabira, for two positions.
In other departments, the numbers paint an equally intense picture. Imaging Technologist has 30 shortlisted for 3 jobs, Health Educator 20 for 2 slots, while Internal Auditor attracted 47 candidates for one job.
Upcountry, the competition is even fiercer.
In Mbarara, 214 candidates are fighting for Medical Officer roles, 134 for Assistant Nursing Officer, and 117 for Pharmacy Technician. In Gulu, 191 candidates battled for Medical Officer positions, while 150 were shortlisted for Assistant Nursing Officer roles.
In Gulu, a staggering 150 applicants were shortlisted for Assistant Nursing Officer positions, while 191 candidates battled it out for Medical Officer roles. The Assistant Secretary position attracted 27 shortlisted names, and the Senior Assistant Accountant role has 21 candidates in the race.
Technical and specialized roles are also drawing attention. For Biomedical Engineer, 56 candidates were shortlisted, while ICT Systems Administrator had 40 hopefuls competing. Health Educator positions attracted 10 shortlisted applicants.
But once again, it is the consultant-level positions that are raising eyebrows.
For Associate Consultant-Anesthesiologist in Gulu, only one candidate—Dr. Nyeko Kenneth Innocent—was shortlisted. The same pattern appears in Internal Medicine, where Dr. Bogere John Bosco is the sole shortlisted candidate.
In Oncology Imaging, only two names made it to the shortlist—Dr. Denis Okello and Dr. Okiya Akila Micheal—competing for the role.
The recruitment process drew a total of 2,763 applicants who were shortlisted and went on to sit for aptitude tests on February 20 and 21 at Makerere University School of Computing and Information Sciences. Out of these, only 377 progressed to the next stage.
Their results were released on March 13, 2026, setting the stage for oral interviews currently taking place at the UCI Centre of Excellence in Kampala, running from Monday-March 30 to Thursday-April 9, 2026.
But even before the interviews conclude, controversy is already boiling over.
A particularly contentious issue is the direct shortlisting of 62 candidates for oral interviews without sitting the aptitude tests—a move that has triggered outrage among applicants.
“This has angered many people. Others sat tough exams, but some just appear for interviews directly,” a source revealed.
Insiders further allege that the recruitment is being used as a tool to settle internal scores, with certain staff reportedly being targeted for elimination due to personal differences with top bosses.
At the same time, there are growing claims of heavy external influence, with powerful individuals allegedly pushing in their preferred candidates.
“Friends, relatives, spouses, tribe mates, girlfriends, boyfriends—everyone is being smuggled in quietly,” an insider said.
Another source warned that the entire process risks being reduced to a “connections game” rather than a merit-based exercise.
“This is no longer about qualifications. It is about who you know and who is backing you,” the source added.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, the recruitment process continues, with thousands of hopeful Ugandans anxiously waiting to see whether fairness will prevail.
Efforts to obtain a comment from the Uganda Cancer Institute were ongoing by press time.
As pressure mounts and scrutiny intensifies, the coming days could prove decisive—not just for the applicants, but for the integrity of one of Uganda’s most important health institutions.
For now, the question remains: will this recruitment deliver lifesavers—or insiders?
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