IGG Orders Interdiction of URSB Registrar General, Three Senior Officials

The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Lady Justice Aisha Naluzze Batala, has ordered the 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 directive, issued on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, requires Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao to immediately interdict Kainobwisho over allegations including embezzlement of government funds, abuse of office, money laundering, institutional mismanagement and maladministration.

The three other officials have also been ordered to step aside by the URSB Board pending the completion of investigations.

They are Deputy Registrar General Alex Aganya, Commissioner for ICT and Innovations Arthur Kwesiga and Assistant Commissioner for Business Registration Services Walid Kule.

The latest directive marks a significant escalation of the URSB crisis, which began as an internal disciplinary dispute involving senior officials before eventually reaching the President and triggering a government-directed audit of the agency.

The IGG said Kainobwisho’s interdiction is necessary to ensure that investigations proceed without interference.

“In the instant case, public interest demands that while investigations against the above officer are still ongoing, she should be suspended from exercising the powers and functions of her office,” the Inspectorate said.

The directive is based on Article 230 of the Constitution and Section 13(6) of the Inspectorate of Government Act, which empower the IGG to issue orders and directions considered necessary in the circumstances.

Mao has been directed, in consultation with the URSB Board, to establish interim arrangements to ensure the Registrar General’s functions continue during the interdiction.

The URSB Board Chairperson, Francis Butagira, has similarly been instructed to put in place interim arrangements for the duties previously performed by Aganya, Kwesiga and Kule.

The Board has also been directed to fully cooperate with the investigations and provide the Inspectorate with the necessary support.

URSB Training Halted

In a separate directive, Mao has been ordered to halt URSB’s residential Executive Training at the National Leadership Institute (NALI), Kyankwanzi.

The training had been scheduled to run from Sunday, August 16 to Friday, August 21.

The Inspectorate said the programme should remain suspended until its investigations are concluded or further guidance is issued.

The decision comes barely a day after URSB confirmed that an audit of the institution was underway, following reports that several senior officials had been ordered to step aside.

On Monday, August 17, the bureau said the audit was being conducted in accordance with established procedures and applicable laws, although it did not disclose its scope or identify the officials affected.

“URSB assures its clients, partners and the general public that service delivery remains uninterrupted,” the bureau said in a statement issued through its Communications Manager, Steven Douglas Baryevuga.

The IGG’s directive has now formally identified the officials affected and expanded the measures against the bureau’s top management.

Museveni Ordered Officials to Step Aside

The latest action follows President Museveni’s July 24 directive to Mao ordering several senior URSB officials to go on leave pending an audit of the agency.

Museveni directed that Kainobwisho, Kule, Kwesiga and Aganya, among others, step aside while an investigation into the bureau was conducted.

He further directed the IGG to lead the investigation with assistance from State House auditors Kawawa and Tumwiine.

The President’s intervention came after allegations of financial misconduct and institutional mismanagement at URSB escalated from an internal dispute involving Commissioner for Business Registration Gilbert Agaba.

Museveni also instructed his Principal Private Secretary to bring Butagira before him to explain himself over the unfolding controversy, placing the URSB Board leadership under direct presidential scrutiny.

The President’s intervention followed a series of complaints and counter-complaints between Agaba and URSB management.