The Inspectorate of Government has directed Justice Minister Norbert Mao to interdict Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) Registrar General Mercy Kainobwisho and three other senior officials as investigations into alleged abuse of office, money laundering and mismanagement continue.
In a statement dated October 26, the IG said Mao had earlier been instructed to interdict Kainobwisho alongside Deputy Registrar General Alex Anganya, Commissioner for ICT and Innovations Arthur Kwesiga and Assistant Commissioner for Business Registration Services Walid Kule.
The Inspectorate said the directive was intended to remove the officials from office while investigations were underway
“The interdicting was intended to ensure that the ongoing investigations are conducted without interference and in the public interest,” the IG said.
However, the Inspectorate said Mao instead placed the four officials on mandatory leave in August, where they have remained beyond their statutory leave entitlement.
The IG has now directed the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to enforce the interdiction.
The development follows an August decision by Mao sending Kainobwisho and several senior URSB officials on mandatory leave after President Yoweri Museveni ordered an audit into the bureau’s activities.
At the time, Mao said the officials would remain away from office until investigations were completed, with Deputy Registrar General for Registries Mustapher Ntale assigned to perform the functions of Registrar General.
The IG said its investigations concern allegations of “commission of offences, abuse of office, institutional mismanagement, money laundering and maladministration at URSB.”
IGG Orders Agaba Back to Office
In a separate directive, the Inspectorate ordered URSB Board Chairman Ambassador Butagira Francis to immediately reinstate Commissioner for Business Registration Services Gilbert Agaba.
The IG said Agaba was not among the officials under investigation but was nevertheless placed on mandatory leave by Mao.
“Hon. Mao further irregularly compelled Mr. Agaba to take mandatory leave, despite him not being a subject of investigation,” the statement said.
The Inspectorate said Agaba had made a protected disclosure and was therefore shielded from retaliation under the Whistleblowers Protection Act.
“A person shall not be subject to any victimization by his or her employer or by any other person on account of or partly on account of having made a protected disclosure,” the IG quoted the law as providing.
“In the circumstances, Hon. Mao, therefore, victimised Mr. Agaba by placing him on mandatory leave,” the Inspectorate said.
The URSB Board chairman has consequently been directed to ensure Agaba resumes his position “with immediate effect.”
The Inspectorate said it remained committed to “upholding the rule of law and principles of natural justice while executing its mandate.”
