Five high-ranking officials at the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) have been placed on compulsory leave while probes into claims of corruption, financial misconduct and abuse of office proceed.

The affected officers are said to be Registrar General Mercy Kainobwisho; Commissioner for Business Registration Gilbert Agaba; Deputy Registrar General for Finance and Administration Alex Anganya; Assistant Commissioner for Business Registration Walid Kule; and Commissioner for ICT Arthur Kwesiga.

They are reported to have received letters ordering them onto leave on Friday, 14 August, soon after forensic auditors reached URSB’s Kampala headquarters.

In a letter dated 24 July addressed to Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao, President Yoweri Museveni instructed that the officials be sent on forced leave and ordered an immediate audit of the alleged corruption, embezzlement and abuse of office.

The President further directed the Inspector General of Government (IGG) to spearhead the inquiry, assisted by State House auditors Kawawa and Tumwiine.

He also instructed his Principal Private Secretary to summon URSB Board Chairman Ambassador Francis Butagira.

These steps coincide with an ongoing forensic audit of the Bureau’s operations.

In a statement released on Monday, 17 August, URSB confirmed that an audit is in progress and is being carried out “in accordance with established procedures and applicable laws.”

The Bureau offered no direct response to reports that the five officials had been placed on forced leave or to the specific allegations levelled against them.

URSB reassured the public that its day-to-day activities continue as normal and that “service delivery remains uninterrupted.”

The organisation reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability and professional standards, adding that it will share further details as appropriate once the relevant processes are complete.