In Summary: The Uganda Registration Services Bureau has briefed Parliament’s COSASE committee on its mandate, governance and accountability as the Inspectorate of Government maintains that Minister Norbert Mao failed to implement its directive to interdict four senior URSB officials over alleged corruption and mismanagement.
Kampala, Uganda — The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) Thursday engaged Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) on its mandate, governance and accountability, amid an ongoing dispute between the Inspectorate of Government (IG) and the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, over the interdiction of senior officials at the institution.
The URSB delegation, comprising officials from various departments and divisions and led by Acting Registrar General Mustapher Ntale, briefed the committee on the Bureau’s operations, legal framework and contribution to national development.
“A URSB delegation comprising officials from various departments and divisions, stewarded by Ag. Registrar General Mr. Mustapher Ntale, engaged the Parliament of Uganda’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) in a briefing on the Bureau’s mandate, operations and contribution to national development,” URSB said in a statement posted via X on Friday morning.
According to the Bureau, the engagement covered company registration and administration, governance frameworks, applicable laws and opportunities to strengthen service delivery. Committee members raised questions and provided feedback intended to support institutional accountability, transparency and continuous improvement.
“The interface reflects the importance of constructive engagement between public institutions and Parliament in advancing effective governance and regulatory compliance,” the Bureau added.
The engagement comes days after the Inspectorate of Government issued a statement directing Mao to enforce its earlier directive to interdict URSB Registrar General Mercy Kainobwisho and three other senior officials over allegations of corruption and financial impropriety.
In a press statement seen by DailyExpress dated October 26, 2026, the IG said the officials were being investigated over alleged embezzlement of government funds, abuse of office, institutional mismanagement, money laundering, and maladministration at URSB.
The Inspectorate also directed the immediate interdiction of Deputy Registrar General Anganya Alex, Commissioner for ICT and Innovations Kwegisa Arthur, and Assistant Commissioner for Business Registration Services Kule Walid.
The IG further directed URSB Board Chairperson Francis Butagira to ensure that Commissioner for Business Registration Services Gilbert Agaba resumes the full functions and duties of his office, saying he had been irregularly placed on forced leave by Mao.
The Inspectorate argued that the minister had instead placed the four officials on mandatory leave, which they had remained on beyond the statutory leave entitlement. It also accused him of compelling Agaba to take mandatory leave despite him not being a subject of the investigation.
Citing Article 230(2) of the Constitution and Section 13(6) of the Inspectorate of Government Act, the IG maintained that the Inspector General of Government has powers to issue orders and directions considered necessary in the course of carrying out its duties.
It also cited Section 9 of the Whistleblowers Protection Act, arguing that placing Agaba on mandatory leave amounted to victimisation because he had made a protected disclosure. The Inspectorate said its directive was intended to allow investigations to proceed without interference and in the public interest.
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