The Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs Hon Nobert Mao, has appointed the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) Deputy Registrar General, Mustapher Ntale, as the acting Registrar General amidst corruption investigations at the bureau.
Minister Mao made the revelation in a letter dated August 12th, in which the minister informs the now suspended Registrar General Ms. Mercy Kainobwisho, and three other commissioners of their interdictions pending investigation into alleged corruption.
“You’re going on mandatory leave is to ensure the integrity of the investigations and you will remain on leave until the investigations are complete” he said.
He added, “During this period Mustapher Ntale, Deputy Registrar General – Registries, will perform the functions of the office of the Registrar General and will assign relevant officers to act in the positions of the officers who have been sent on mandatory leave”.
Mao further revealed that he is set to meet the Board and the top management of URSB next week.
The shake-up at the bureau follows a July 24 directive by President Yoweri Museveni ordering an audit into allegations of embezzlement of government funds, abuse of office, maladministration, money laundering and institutional mismanagement at URSB.
On Tuesday, the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Lady Justice Naluzze Aisha Batala, directed the Mao, to immediately interdict the URSB Registrar General, Ms. Mercy Kainobwisho, as investigations into allegations of corruption at the Bureau get underway.
The Inspectorate of Government (IG) noted that it had commenced investigations against Ms. Kainobwisho over allegations of embezzlement of government funds, abuse of office, institutional mismanagement, money laundering and maladministration at URSB.
In a separate directive, the IGG also directed the Chairperson of the URSB Board of Directors, Rt. Hon. Butagira Francis, to interdict three senior officials of the Bureau pending completion of investigations into allegations of corruption against them.
The affected officials include Mr. Aganya Alex, Deputy Registrar General; Mr. Kwesiga Arthur, Commissioner, ICT and Innovations; and Mr. Kule Walid, Assistant Commissioner, Business Registration Services.
