Illegally Appointed UNBS Executive Director Eng. Kasigwa Finally Forced Out of Office

The storm that has for months been brewing inside the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has finally broken open.

Embattled Executive Director Eng. James Kasigwa Nkamwesiga whose appointment was widely condemned as irregular and illegal has been forced out of office following a directive from the Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Hon. Francis Mwebesa.

In a strongly worded letter dated October 7, 2025, Minister Mwebesa ordered Eng. Kasigwa to take his annual leave effective October 15 to allow the National Standards Council (NSC) to conclude investigations into grave allegations of insubordination, maladministration and corruption.

“To expedite and facilitate the work of the council in this regard, including conducting enquiries, hearings and interviews of key witnesses and personnel with information pertinent to the allegations, I hereby direct and authorise you to take your annual leave of 30 working days effective 15th October 2025,” reads the minister’s letter, a copy of which this news site has obtained.

Kasigwa was directed to hand over office to his deputy, Mrs. Patricia Bageine Ejalu who will now serve as Acting Executive Director until the investigations are concluded.

The handover, to be witnessed by NSC Chairperson Eng. James Kalibbala, effectively ends Kasigwa’s tumultuous reign at the helm of the country’s standards body.

The Fall of a Controversial Appointee

Eng. Kasigwa’s removal caps a long-running controversy that began with his appointment in 2024 which was marred by allegations of favoritism and illegality.

Documents obtained by this publication show that during the recruitment exercise, Kasigwa failed the mandatory job tests and was not among the top candidates recommended by the National Standards Council.

The selection process featured three assessments, a Psychometric Test, a Written Technical Test, and a PowerPoint Oral Presentation totalling 100 points.

Fortunate Muyambi Benda, a senior standards professional emerged as the clear winner with a score of 79.9 percent, while Kasigwa managed only 63.12 percent placing third out of six shortlisted candidates.

Despite this, the then Minister of Trade, Hon. Mwebesa, overrode the Council’s recommendations and appointed Kasigwa. The decision was petitioned to the Attorney General by concerned citizen George Ahimbisibwe who described the appointment as “illegal and contrary to the UNBS Act.”

In a legal opinion dated mid-2024, the Attorney General agreed, advising that Kasigwa’s appointment contravened the law, as the minister could not appoint a candidate who had not been recommended by the Council.

Mwebesa, however, stood by his choice — a decision that has now come back to haunt him.

        Trail of Scandals and Defiance

Barely a year into office, Kasigwa became the center of growing unease within the Trade Ministry and among UNBS staff. A dossier compiled by senior officials accused him of insubordination, defiance of ministerial directives and gross mismanagement of key programmes meant to protect consumers and facilitate trade.

Among the most damaging accusations is Kasigwa’s sabotage of the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme — a cornerstone policy designed to block substandard imports from entering Uganda. He is alleged to have delayed the signing of service provider contracts, resulting in losses running into billions of shillings, and irregularly granted exemptions to importers of used vehicles despite limited local testing capacity.

The man from Bwambara also stands accused of undermining the Digital Conformity Marks project by developing a parallel system, creating confusion, duplication, and potential revenue leakage.

Inside sources further allege that under Kasigwa’s watch, financial discipline collapsed, with operational funds diverted into unapproved budget lines and foreign trips for Members of Parliament financed illegally in violation of government policy.

The minister’s letter also cites systemic violations of the Public Finance Management Act, frustration of critical projects, and failure to enforce metrology standards, which led to unfair trade practices and loss of public trust.

“These allegations, if proven, represent not just administrative lapses but a betrayal of public trust that directly undermines Uganda’s economic backbone,” a senior Trade Ministry source told us.

    Minister’s Patience Runs Out

After months of quiet discontent, Minister Mwebesa finally acted. Insiders say his confidence in Kasigwa “completely evaporated” after reports surfaced that the UNBS boss had ignored direct instructions to reform internal systems and restore confidence in key departments.

Mwebesa’s latest directive gives the National Standards Council two weeks to complete its inquiry and submit a report with findings and recommendations, after which the minister will decide on Kasigwa’s fate.

A ministry insider told Intelligence Insider that the minister’s letter is “a polite way of sending him back to Bwambara permanently,” as the investigation outcome is “largely a formality.”

         Pressure Mounts for Reform

Observers say the UNBS saga has exposed deeper governance weaknesses within the country’s standards and regulatory sector. Calls are growing for the ministry to reverse the illegal appointment and consider the rightful candidate, Fortunate Muyambi Benda, to restore credibility to an institution now battered by scandal.

Trade analysts have also urged government to implement the Attorney General’s guidance and appoint the person who won the job test and ensure future appointments to regulatory bodies are transparent and merit-based.

As Eng. Kasigwa packs his bags and hands over office this week, questions remain about how a man declared unfit for the job by law managed to occupy one of the country’s most sensitive offices  and what it has cost the nation, shame to the god fathers.