KAMPALA, UGANDA – The Executive Director of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), Eng. James Kasigwa, has been directed to proceed on a 30-working-day leave to facilitate an independent probe into serious allegations of misconduct and corruption leveled against him.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The directive was issued in an October 7, 2025, letter from the Hon. Francis Mwebesa, Minister of Trade, Industry and Co-operatives (MoTIC).
The Minister’s letter instructs Eng. Kasigwa to hand over authority to his deputy, Mrs. Patricia Bageine Ejalu, who will serve as the Acting Executive Director effective October 15, 2025.
According to the letter, the administrative leave is intended not as a disciplinary action but as a measure to “expedite and facilitate the work” of the National Standards Council, which the Minister recently tasked with investigating the allegations.
The Council, chaired by Eng. James Kalibbala, is to assess the “validity, authenticity and significance” of claims against Kasigwa, including insubordination, misconduct, impropriety, mismanagement, and corruption.
The Minister stated that Eng. Kasigwa’s absence will allow the Council to conduct its enquiries, hearings, and interviews with key witnesses and personnel without obstruction.
The documents reveal that the Council has already verbally interacted with Eng. Kasigwa regarding the allegations. However, the Minister noted that Kasigwa’s written report on the matter is still awaited.
Minister Mwebesa has imposed a strict two-week deadline from the date of his letter for the Council to complete its assignment and submit a comprehensive report on its findings.
A special meeting will then be convened at the Minister’s office for the Council to present its findings and recommendations, after which a final decision on the allegations will be communicated.
The handover to Acting Executive Director Mrs. Patricia Bageine Ejalu will be formally witnessed by the National Standards Council Chairperson, Eng. James Kalibbala, who will also oversee the transition when Eng. Kasigwa returns from leave.
This move places the Uganda National Bureau of Standards, the national body responsible for standardization and quality assurance, under temporary new leadership as it awaits the outcome of an investigation that could have major implications for its top management.
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