Museveni Orders URSB Audit, Sends Top Officials on Forced Leave

What the report says

President Yoweri Museveni has ordered a broad audit of the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) and directed several top officials to step aside while the review is carried out, according to Nile Post. The bureau, which handles company registration, intellectual property services and related legal filings, is now under heightened scrutiny over allegations of financial misconduct, abuse of office and wider management problems.

The presidential directive, dated July 24 and addressed to Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao, reportedly names Registrar General Mercy Kainobwisho, Assistant Commissioner for Business Registration Walid Kule, Commissioner for ICT Arthur Kwesiga and Deputy Registrar General for Finance and Administration Alex Anganya among those to go on leave. Museveni also instructed the Inspector General of Government to lead the investigation, supported by State House auditors. The order reflects concerns about possible embezzlement, maladministration, money laundering and procurement irregularities, as described in the article.

Nile Post says the controversy grew out of an internal dispute involving Gilbert Agaba, a commissioner in the Business Registration Department, whose relationship with management had worsened over performance and discipline issues. Agaba later raised counter-allegations about corruption and governance failures at the bureau, escalating the matter beyond URSB and into State House.

URSB confirmed on August 17 that an audit was underway and said service delivery would continue. The development matters because it places a key public agency under direct presidential oversight and highlights broader questions about accountability in Uganda’s institutions.