The Inspector General of Government(IGG) has directed the Minister for Justice, Nobert Mao to interdict the Registrar General of the Uganda Registration Services Bureau(URSB) Mercy Kainobwisho to allow for investigations into corruption.
According to IGG Lady Justice Aisha Batala, her office has commenced investigation into allegations of embezzlement of government funds, abuse of office, institutional mismanagement , money laundering and maladministration at URSB.
“The interdiction is intended to ensure that the ongoing investigations are conducted without interference and in the public interest,” the statement from the IGG’s office said.
The IGG’s directive is anchored in Article 230 of the Constitutional and Section 13(6) of the Inspectoral of Government Act.
The IGG says minister Mao has been directed in consultation with the URSB boar to put in place interim arrangements to ensure the uninterrupted discharge of the functions of the Registrar General throughout the period of interdiction.
The minister has also been directed to halt URSB’s scheduled residential executive training at Kyankwanzi which was scheduled to run from Sunday August 16 to Agust 21.
“The training is to remain suspended until the IGG’s investigations are concluded or further guidance is issued.”
In a separate directive, the IGG has directed the chairperson of the URSB board of directors, Francis Butagira to interdict three other senior officials including the Deputy Registrar General Alex Aganya, Commissioner for ICT and Innovations Arthur Kwesiga and Assistant Commissioner for Business Registration Services Walid Kule.
The three are also facing corruption-related investigations.
URSB Board Chairperson Francis Butagira has been directed to make temporary arrangements to ensure the affected offices continue functioning.
The Board has also been told to fully cooperate with the IGG and provide all information and support required for the investigations.
Batala said the decision to suspend the officials was made in the public interest.
“In the instant case, public interest demands that while investigations against the above officer are still ongoing, she should be suspended from exercising the powers and functions of her office,” she said.
The latest action comes after forensic auditors reportedly arrived at URSB headquarters in Kampala last week, with several senior officials having earlier been placed on leave as scrutiny of the bureau’s operations intensified.
The interdictions are administrative measures meant to facilitate investigations and do not amount to a finding of guilt against the officials.
