The Inspector General of Government has ordered the interdiction of Uganda Registration Services Bureau Registrar General Mercy Kainobwisho and three other senior officials as investigations into alleged corruption and mismanagement at the agency deepen.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Inspector General of Government Lady Justice Naluzze Aisha Batala directed Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao to immediately interdict Kainobwisho while investigations are underway.
The IGG said Kainobwisho is being investigated over 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 IGG said.
The Inspectorate said the action was taken under Article 230 of the Constitution and Section 13(6) of the Inspectorate of Government Act.
“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,” the statement said.
Mao was also directed, in consultation with the URSB Board, to put interim arrangements in place to ensure uninterrupted discharge of the Registrar General’s functions.
In a separate directive, the IGG instructed URSB Board Chairperson Francis Butagira to interdict three other senior officials pending completion of corruption investigations against them.
They are Alex Anganya – Deputy Registrar General, Arthur Kwesiga – Commissioner for ICT and Innovations and Walid Kule – Assistant Commissioner for Business Registration Services.
The Board chairperson was directed to promptly establish interim arrangements to ensure URSB services continue without disruption.
The IGG also ordered the suspension of URSB’s planned residential Executive Training at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi, which had been scheduled for August 16 to 21.
“The training is to remain suspended until the IG’s investigations are concluded or further guidance is issued,” the statement said.
The latest directive marks an escalation of the investigation that has rocked URSB in recent days.
