The Inspectorate of Government (IG) has directed the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Nobert Mao, to enforce its earlier directive to interdict the Registrar General of the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), Ms. Mercy Kainobwisho, over allegations of corruption within the institution.
In a statement released on Monday, the IG also directed Rt. Hon. Butagira Francis, URSB’s Chairperson of the Board of Directors, to immediately interdict Mr. Anganya Alex, Deputy Registrar General; Mr. Kwesiga Arthur, Commissioner ICT and Innovations; and Mr. Kule Walid, Assistant Commissioner, Business Registration Services.
“Rt. Hon. Butagira has been further directed to ensure that Mr. Agaba Gilbert, Commissioner, Business Registration Services, who had been irregularly sent on forced leave by Hon. Mao, resumes the full functions and duties of the office of the Commissioner, Business Registration at the Bureau with immediate effect” the statement read.
The Monday directive follows earlier orders issued in August 2026, in which the IG directed Mao to interdict Ms. Kainobwisho and three other top officials over allegations of embezzlement of government funds, abuse of office, institutional mismanagement, money laundering and maladministration at URSB.
The IG noted that the interdiction was intended to ensure that the ongoing investigations are conducted without interference and in the public interest.
However, Hon. Mao instead placed the four officials on mandatory leave, which they have remained on to date, exceeding their statutory leave entitlement.
The inspectorate also revealed that Mao further irregularly compelled Mr. Agaba, who was the Whistleblower in the probe to take mandatory leave, despite him not being a subject of investigation.
The IG noted that Minister Mao victimised Mr. Agaba by placing him on mandatory leave which goes against Section 9 (1) of the Whistleblowers Protection Act (Cap. 34).
“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.
Under Section 9(2) (a) (ii) and (ix) of the same Act, victimisation includes the suspension of an employer who has made a protected disclosure or subjecting such an employee to discriminatory or other adverse measures” the statement reads.
