The Top Management of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has been rocked by fresh allegations of nepotism and governance breaches in staff recruitment within its Directorate of Gender, Community Services, and Production, following a whistleblower petition to President Yoweri Museveni.
The petition seen authored by the whistleblower under the alias Musoke Tuli-enotuffa on September 17, 2025, accuses the Directorate’s head, Ms. Sheila Birungi Gandi, of orchestrating what it describes as “a pattern of nepotistic appointments” over the past three years.
According to the dossier, several individuals alleged to have “direct or extended familial ties to the Director” were irregularly recruited into key positions, bypassing merit-based procedures mandated by the Uganda Public Service Standing Orders (2021) and the Leadership Code Act (2002).
“These individuals operate with undue entitlement, disregarding established hierarchies and behaving as though they wield executive authority,” the petition states, adding that the practice has “created a toxic environment of impunity, eroded morale among staff, and compromised service delivery to the citizens of Kampala.”
Among the names cited in the whistleblower’s petition as alleged beneficiaries of favoritism are Quraish Kitakule, Nasuur Kitakule, Eric Katamba, Shamilah Namulondo, Jim Mulobole, Juliet Wanyana, Jeremiah Ngobi, Hilda Musubika Kirabo, Joel Isabirye, and Adam Waiswa.
The dossier further alleges that some of these recruits normalized absenteeism and indolence, “eroding institutional discipline and weakening accountability in the Directorate.”
Citing Section 20 of the Leadership Code Act (2002), which explicitly prohibits nepotism, the whistleblower warns that such practices amount to abuse of office under Article 233 of the Constitution and betray public trust.
The petition demands four measures: The immediate removal of Director Sheila Birungi Gandi, a full audit of staff appointments in the Directorate, with scrutiny on kinship ties, termination of staff allegedly recruited through nepotism, and institutional safeguards, including whistleblower protection and independent oversight.
While stressing that the complaint is not malicious, the author urged President Museveni to act swiftly, warning that unless reforms are enforced, the Directorate risks becoming “a bastion of impunity.”
KCCA were yet to issue an official response on the allegations, but sources within the authority told this publication that both the Ministry for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs and the Ministry of Public Service have been notified, and are potentially setting the stage for investigations.
Ms Sheila Birungi, the accused, was unreachable by press time after repeated attempts
