By Andrew Irumba
A senior government medic in northern Uganda has landed in hot soup after being allegedly accused of extorting money from job seekers.
Titus Komakech, a clinical officer attached to Kitgum General Hospital, has been interdicted from office following a complaint by Flavia Atim, who accuses him of soliciting a bribe from her in exchange for a nursing job during the recently concluded recruitment exercise in the district.
Jackson Omona, the Kitgum District LC V Chairperson, said Komakech reportedly solicited over Shs1m from Atim in exchange for a job.
However, trouble came when Atim started demanding for a refund after failing to get the job she had paid for.
Omona said “We commenced investigations after Atim lodged a complaint in my office questioning why she was never offered the job despite paying the clinical officer.”
Investigations conducted by the police established that Komakech extorted Shs1.2m from Atim in two installments.
Atim said Komakech approached her, saying members of the District Service Commission wanted Shs800,000 to offer her a job.
According to Atim, when she paid the money her name appeared among those who had emerged successfully in the aptitude test.
But later Komakech approached her again demanding for more Shs400,000 for the final interviews but she later realized her name was missing on the shortlist and that was when she started demanding for a refund.
Stephen Lakwonyero Omwony, the Secretary Kitgum District Service Commission who doubles as the principal secretary to the CAO, said such acts are illegal and criminal and anyone found culpable will be liable to prosecution.
