Overview:
On October 13, 2025, the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, Mr. Francis Mwebesa, issued a letter authorizing him to take annual leave for one month starting October 15, 2025, to avoid influencing ongoing investigations into claims including insubordination and corruption.
The executive director of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), Mr. James Kasigwa, has been directed to step aside to allow investigations into alleged misconduct and mismanagement during his tenure over the past one and a half years.
Mr. Kasigwa, an electrical engineer by profession, has led UNBS since May 13, 2024. On October 13, 2025, the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, Mr. Francis Mwebesa, issued a letter authorizing him to take annual leave for one month starting October 15, 2025, to avoid influencing ongoing investigations into claims including insubordination and corruption.
In the letter, titled Taking Your Annual Leave Starting 15th October 2025, the minister outlined that several allegations, including misconduct, impropriety, and mismanagement, have been raised against Mr. Kasigwa. The letter notes that the National Standards Council has been tasked to assess the validity and significance of these allegations and to conduct inquiries, hearings, and interviews with relevant personnel.
“To expedite the council’s work, I hereby direct and authorize you to take your annual leave of 30 working days effective 15th October 2025,” the minister wrote. The letter also instructs Mr. Kasigwa to hand over his duties to Deputy Executive Director Standards, Mrs. Patricia Bageine Ejalu, on October 14, 2025. She will act as executive director until his return. The council’s chairperson, Eng. James Kalibbala, will witness the handover and resumption.
Mr. Mwebesa’s letter indicates that while the council has engaged verbally with Mr. Kasigwa, a written response is still awaited. The minister urged the council to submit a report of their findings within two weeks, after which a special meeting will be convened for presentation and further decisions.
Mr. Kasigwa has held leadership roles in multinational corporations, as well as private and public sector institutions, spanning over two decades in science, technology, innovation, standards, and infrastructure management.
Attempts to reach Mr. Kalibbala for comment on the specific allegations were unsuccessful, as he said he would need time to provide a detailed response.
The development underscores the government’s efforts to enforce accountability within key regulatory institutions while awaiting the outcome of the council’s inquiry.