<p>Dark leadership refers to a leadership style characterized by unethical and immoral behavior that ultimately harms the organization and its members. Significant aspects of this issue are ineffective recruitment and ethics education within organizations. A qualitative study was undertaken to collect various data for the study. Data was collected through interviews that are semi-structured with 20 leaders in Ugandan Universities and data were analyzed using ATLAS. ti 8 software. Findings show that without a strong emphasis on recruitment and ethics education, organizations may inadvertently foster a culture of dark leadership, leading to numerous negative consequences. Effective recruitment is crucial for the success and sustainability of any organization. However, unethical recruitment practices can result in adverse outcomes, such as hiring or appointing incompetent or unethical individuals who may contribute to a toxic work environment. Inadequate ethics education for leaders during the recruitment process can lead to biased decisions, favoritism, and even corruption. Without a comprehensive understanding of ethical guidelines, leaders may succumb to personal biases or prioritize their own interests over those of the organization. Consequently, this can lead to a compromised organizational culture, eroding trust and damaging employee morale. Based on the findings, this article recommends organizations prioritize the need for comprehensive recruitment and ethics education. Leaders should be trained to recognize and address ethical dilemmas that may arise during the recruitment process. The study aims to explore the influence of ethics education and ethical recruitment on unethical leadership behavior in organizations in Uganda.</p>