By BM
The Executive Director of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), Eng. James Kasigwa, is under intense scrutiny following a directive from the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives ordering an urgent investigation into serious allegations of misconduct, maladministration, and potential abuse of office.
In an official letter dated September 3rd, 2025, Minister Hon. Francis Mwebesa instructed the newly inaugurated 10th National Standards Council to immediately commence investigations into the persistent reports his office had received regarding Eng. Kasigwa’s conduct.
The Ministry stated that if the allegations are substantiated, they could pose a significant threat to Uganda’s standards regime, economic security, public safety, and international credibility.
The Minister emphasized in the letter that the purpose of the communication was to direct the Council to carry out the investigations and report back to him as soon as possible.
He also stressed that the Executive Director should be given an opportunity to respond to the allegations.
Shadow Over a Controversial Appointment
This probe adds new weight to the controversy that surrounded Kasigwa’s appointment in May 2024.
Then known as Eng. James Kwesiga Nkamwesiga, his appointment was announced by UNBS despite his relatively lower score in a rigorous, multi-stage recruitment process.
Documents from the selection process showed that Kasigwa scored 63.12%, placing third among six shortlisted candidates.
Muyambi Fortunate Benda led with 79.9%, followed closely by Segawa Apollo with 79.25%.
Despite five candidates scoring above the cut-off mark of 60%, only the top two were recommended by the 9th National Standards Council for ministerial consideration.
The assessment process included a psychometric test, a written technical test, and a PowerPoint presentation and oral interview, each carrying a different weight.
Officials involved in the process noted that the guidelines specified that no individual component should be considered in isolation, and that any candidate scoring above 60% should be eligible for recommendation.
Nevertheless, a complaint was filed on May 14, 2024, by a concerned citizen, Ahimbisibwe George, through his lawyers Wanambugo & Company Advocates.
In the letter addressed to the Attorney General, the lawyers alleged that the appointment was illegal and in violation of the UNBS Act, stating that the Minister had bypassed the recommendations of the Board.
The complainants called upon the Attorney General to advise and urge the Minister to reverse what they described as an unlawful appointment.
In contrast, Mustapha Mugisa, a business management consultant at Summit Consulting, argued at the time that the Minister had the discretion to consider other qualifying factors beyond scores.
He explained that under the assessment criteria, any candidate scoring above 60% was deemed fit for consideration, and that the appointing authority had the legal latitude to select among qualifying individuals.
Legal and Reputational Stakes
With the Ministry’s directive now in motion, the situation has escalated from controversy to formal investigation.
The credibility of Uganda’s national standards enforcement body is under threat, raising serious concerns about governance, transparency, and institutional integrity.
As the National Standards Council begins its inquiry, stakeholders across the regulatory and business spectrum are closely watching how the Ministry handles the findings and what consequences may follow. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
