Overview:
Through his lawyers, Kasigwa wants the court to issue a temporary injunction stopping the Minister, his agents, or any persons acting on his behalf from enforcing the two directives issued in September and October 2025, pending determination of the main case.
The Executive Director of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), Eng. James Nkamwesiga Kasigwa, has petitioned the High Court in Kampala seeking to block directives issued by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Francis Mwebesa, ordering his investigation and subsequent forced leave.
Through his lawyers, Kasigwa wants the court to issue a temporary injunction stopping the Minister, his agents, or any persons acting on his behalf from enforcing the two directives issued in September and October 2025, pending determination of the main case.
According to court filings, the first directive dated September 30, 2025, instructed the UNBS Board Chairperson to investigate Kasigwa for alleged misconduct, insubordination, and abuse of office. The second, dated October 7, ordered him to proceed on one month’s forced leave effective October 15, to pave way for the investigation.
“I write with reference to the task which I recently assigned to the National Standards Council, directing it to assess the validity, authenticity, and significance of the various allegations levelled against you regarding insubordination, misconduct, impropriety, mismanagement, and corruption,” Minister Mwebesa stated in one of the letters.
He added that Kasigwa should take his 30 working days of annual leave to allow the Council to conduct inquiries, hearings, and witness interviews without interference.
Kasigwa’s Defence
In his affidavit supporting the application, Kasigwa argues that the Minister’s directives are unlawful, irrational, and procedurally improper, having been issued outside the legal framework of the UNBS Act.
He contends that the investigation violates the rules of natural justice, since the Minister — who initiated the probe — is both the complainant and decision-maker.
“This makes the Honourable Minister an accuser, prosecutor, and judge in his own cause,” Kasigwa stated.
Kasigwa further argues that the National Standards Council, which was assigned to conduct the investigation, lacks independence because its members were recently appointed by the same Minister who also has powers to dismiss them. This, he says, compromises the impartiality of the process.
He also challenges the legality of being sent on forced leave, asserting that only the National Standards Council, not the Minister, has the authority under the UNBS Act to interdict or suspend a Director.
Allegations and Court Proceedings
Kasigwa maintains that the allegations against him — including financial impropriety, corruption, and abuse of office — are criminal in nature and should have been referred to independent agencies such as the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) or the Office of the Auditor General.
He warns that enforcing the directives would cause him irreparable harm, including reputational damage and potential loss of employment, and would render his pending Judicial Review Case No. 0044 of 2025 meaningless.
The case came up yesterday before Justice Joyce Kavuma of the High Court’s Civil Division. During the session, Assistant Commissioner for Civil Litigation Peter Masaba, representing the Attorney General, informed court that he had seen a letter in which Minister Mwebesa had allegedly rescinded his directives.
Masaba requested time to verify the authenticity of the letter before updating the court on Kasigwa’s status. UNBS was represented by Lawyers Lydia Kyakuwa and Doreen Nasimbwa, while Counsel Ebert Byenkya appeared for the applicant.
Justice Kavuma granted the request and adjourned the matter to November 4, 2025, to allow verification of the Minister’s letter.
Background of Similar Case
Minister Mwebesa’s directive is not the first of its kind. In July 2023, former UNBS Executive Director David Livingstone Ebiru was also sent on forced leave over similar allegations of misconduct, abuse of office, and misuse of funds. Ebiru was later charged before the Anti-Corruption Court, though the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) later withdrew the charges before he could take a plea.
Kasigwa was appointed UNBS Executive Director in 2024, succeeding Ebiru.