The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Lady Justice Naluzze Aisha Batala, has directed the immediate interdiction of Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) Registrar General Mercy Kainobwisho and three other senior officials as investigations into alleged corruption at the agency get underway.
The Inspectorate of Government said it has opened investigations against Kainobwisho over allegations including embezzlement of government funds, abuse of office, institutional mismanagement, money laundering and maladministration.
The IGG said Kainobwisho’s interdiction is intended to prevent possible interference with the investigations and safeguard the public interest.
The directive was issued to the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, under Article 230 of the Constitution and Section 13(6) of the Inspectorate of Government Act.
The law gives the IGG powers to issue orders and directions considered necessary and appropriate in the course of its duties or following its findings.
The Inspectorate said the suspension means Kainobwisho will temporarily cease exercising the powers and functions of Registrar General while the investigations continue.
Mao has been directed to consult the URSB Board and establish interim arrangements to ensure that the Bureau’s operations continue without interruption.
Three other officials interdicted
In a separate directive, IGG Batala ordered the URSB Board Chairperson, Rt. Hon. Francis Butagira, to interdict three additional senior officials pending investigations into allegations of corruption.
They are: Alex Aganya, Deputy Registrar General; Arthur Kwesiga, Commissioner for ICT and Innovations; and Wald Kule, Assistant Commissioner, Business Registration Services.
Butagira has been instructed to put in place interim arrangements for the affected offices in accordance with the law to prevent disruption of URSB services.
The Board has also been directed to ensure that its members, management and staff fully cooperate with the Inspectorate’s investigations and provide the information and support required.
URSB training suspended
The IGG has further directed Mao to halt URSB’s scheduled residential Executive Training at the National Leadership Institute (NALI), Kyankwanzi, which was scheduled for August 16–21, 2026.
The training will remain suspended until the investigations are completed or the Inspectorate issues further guidance.
The latest action places the leadership of the government agency responsible for business registration, intellectual property registration and other key registration services under increased scrutiny.
The Inspectorate stressed that the interdictions are administrative measures intended to facilitate investigations and do not by themselves establish criminal liability.
It called on public officials to uphold transparency, accountability and integrity in the execution of their duties.