By
Our staff
Kampala, Uganda – The Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon. Francis Mwebesa, has issued a directive for an immediate investigation into serious allegations of misconduct and maladministration against Eng. James Kasigwa, the Executive Director of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS).
In an official statement released Minister Mwebesa emphasized that the allegations, if substantiated, could pose a direct threat to Uganda’s standards regime, economic security, public safety, and the international credibility of the country’s national quality infrastructure.
“These are grave matters that strike at the heart of our nation’s commitment to upholding the highest standards in trade, industry, and consumer protection,” the Minister stated. “We must ensure that the Uganda National Bureau of Standards operates with integrity, transparency, and accountability.”
The directive references the Uganda National Bureau of Standards Act, which mandates strict adherence to ethical conduct and administrative procedures within the Bureau. The Minister highlighted the critical oversight role of the National Standards Council, as stipulated under Section 8(b) of the UNBS Act, in ensuring effective administration and governance of the institution.
The National Standards Council has been tasked to lead the investigation, working closely with relevant government agencies to ascertain the veracity of the claims.
In the letter dated 3rd September 2025 signed by minister for Trade, Industry and cooperatives Hon. Mwebesa explains that ENG. Kasigwa should be investigated on allegations of insubordination and defense of ministerial policy by disregarding lawful guidelines and directives issues by the line ministry, undermining of the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVOC) programme by delaying the signing of critical service provider contracts, disrupting trade and granting irregular exemption for the importance of used motor vehicles despite known limitations in the testing capacity, jeopardizing public safety.
Furthermore, minister Mwebesa orders to investigate on sabotage of the digital conformity marks programme on acts including the development of a parallel technology system, leading to inefficiency and potential financial loss.
Minister Mwebesa also explains to investigate the dereliction of duty regarding legal Metrology by neglect of oversight leading to significant financial losses to the government and the perpetuation of unfair Trade practices and financial mismanagement plus fraud by diversion of operational funds to vague and consumption budgetary lines and authorization of non-allowable Expenditures including financing foreign travel for members of parliament contrary to government policy and even violation of public financial management laws where the government has lost Billions of money.
But in a letter seen by our reporter dated 16th September 2025 eng. James Kasigwa Kalibbala shunned the allegations saying they were extremely grave and backed up the Hon Minister Mwebesa and by the press time an emergency meeting by National standards council has been called for Kasigwa’s explaination.
