Mr. David Livingstone Ebiru, the head of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), has been placed on a six-month forced leave following his confession to the parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE). Mr. Ebiru admitted to offering a bribe of UGX 100 million to the board to extend his contract, raising serious concerns about potential corruption within the institution.
The decision to send Mr. Ebiru on forced leave was announced by the Minister for Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, Mr. Francis Mwebesa, who addressed the media on the matter. The move comes in response to the gravity of the allegations and aims to enable a thorough investigation into the alleged bribery and financial irregularities.
Mr. Ebiru’s case has attracted widespread attention, particularly given the ongoing COSASE investigation into UNBS’s financial practices. The committee, led by Nakawa West MP Joel Ssenyonyi, has been scrutinizing queries raised by the Auditor General, Mr. John Muwanga, in the Financial Year 2021/22 report concerning UNBS’s operations.
During the COSASE probe, Mr. Ebiru confessed to a misuse of funds, disclosing that he had spent UGX 12.5 billion on rent and utilities without proper authorization from the secretary to the Treasury. Additionally, he stands accused of misappropriating UGX 12.9 billion and protecting five suspected staff members, which resulted in a financial loss of UGX 9.28 billion.
The decision to place Mr. Ebiru on forced leave is a critical step in ensuring accountability and transparency within UNBS. It reflects the commitment of the authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the alleged misconduct. The seriousness of the allegations and the potential implications for the institution’s reputation and integrity have led to heightened public and media interest in the case.
During this six-month leave period, the authorities will have the opportunity to delve into the details of the bribery allegations and examine the financial practices of UNBS comprehensively. The aim is to shed light on any wrongdoing and uphold the principles of good governance and accountability.
The UNBS plays a pivotal role in regulating and standardizing products and services in Uganda, and any accusations of corruption or misuse of public funds must be thoroughly addressed to maintain public trust and confidence in the institution.
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