The Executive Director of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), Mr. David Livingstone Ebiru, is facing a warrant of arrest issued by the Inspectorate of Government (IG) on allegations of corruption.
The warrant, which was authorized and authenticated by Deputy IGG Ms. Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe, comes after Mr. Ebiru failed to comply with summonses from the IGG last Friday. He was expected to respond to the corruption allegations during the summons.
The summons stated: “Despite being ordered to appear before the Inspectorate of Government at 2.00 PM on July 21, 2023, and subsequent days to provide testimony and information about the ongoing inquiry, Mr. David Livingstone Ebiru neither appeared nor furnished any information.”
The warrant orders the apprehension and appearance of Mr. David Livingstone Ebiru before the Inspectorate of Government.
In a hearing before the Parliament’s Committee on Commissions Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) last Wednesday, Mr. Ebiru admitted to giving Shs100 million to the National Standards Council (NSC) to retain his position. However, he later retracted the statement on Friday, claiming that the bribery allegations against his boss, Mr. Charles Musekuura, and other NSC members were made in anger.
COSASE Chairperson, Mr. Joel Ssenyonyi, emphasized that the retraction would not absolve Mr. Ebiru of responsibility or affect the committee’s proceedings. The evidence, including WhatsApp messages and ongoing investigations by the Police and IGG, would still be considered.
It has been revealed that both Mr. Ebiru and Mr. Musekuura, along with others implicated in the bribery claims, were summoned to appear before the IGG by 2 PM on Friday. However, Mr. Ebiru did not comply with the IGG’s call.
As a result, the Police have been instructed to apprehend and present Mr. Ebiru at the office of the IGG.
Mr. Ebiru is accused of misappropriating government funds amounting to approximately Shs12.5 billion and protecting five staff members under his supervision who caused a financial loss of Shs9.28 billion.
In light of these developments, the NCS leadership has appointed Mr. Daniel Richard Makayi Nangalama as the Acting Executive Director of UNBS. He previously served as the Deputy ED in charge of Management and Financial Services.
