The Trade Minister, Francis Mwebesa, has taken swift action and dismissed the Executive Director of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), David Livingstone Ebiru, with immediate effect. The decision came after revelations of a bribery scandal during a recent hearing at Parliament's Committee on Public Accounts – Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE).
In a letter dated August 4, 2023, addressed to Ebiru, Minister Mwebesa cited Section 11(2), (5)(b) and (c) of the UNBS Amendment Act 2013 as the legal basis for the dismissal. The letter was also copied to the Attorney General, Inspector General of Government (IGG), Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, and the Principal Private Secretary to the President.
During the COSASE hearing, Ebiru admitted to paying a bribe of shs100 million in an attempt to safeguard his position as Executive Director. He confessed that the money was handed over to a board member for distribution.
The National Standards Council, in a Special Meeting held on August 1, 2023, thoroughly reviewed the evidence regarding allegations of misconduct, mismanagement, and misappropriation of funds, as well as Ebiru's response in his defense. The council found him guilty of the charges, particularly for withdrawing and spending PVOC collections funds (Non-Tax Revenue) amounting to approximately aha11.5 billion without remitting it to the Consolidated Fund, a violation of the Public Finance Management Act 2015.
According to Minister Mwebesa, the evidence presented by the National Standards Council indicated that Ebiru made several unauthorized cash withdrawals contrary to the UNBS Finance and Administration Manual and Treasury Instructions. Additionally, he failed to take disciplinary action against five staff members responsible for a financial loss of shs9.282 billion. These staff members altered inspection dates on Inspection Reports and application dates on the e-portal Applications.
Moreover, Ebiru faced allegations of misappropriating funds meant for the fuel marking project, despite evidence of a plea bargain to refund the misappropriated funds following an investigation by the IGG.
The Trade Minister also mentioned that Ebiru had made bribery allegations against the National Standards Council during his testimony before COSASE but later withdrew them. This action, coupled with his admission of bribery under oath, damaged the reputation of the council members.
In light of the gravity of the allegations and Ebiru's admission to breaching the law and established procedures, the National Standards Council unanimously recommended his dismissal as Executive Director of UNBS. Minister Mwebesa concurred with the council's recommendation and acted promptly to remove Ebiru from his position.
When contacted for a comment, David Livingstone Ebiru, who stated that he was on leave, claimed to be unaware of the Trade Minister's letter and asserted that he learned about it through social media.
The dismissal of the embattled UNBS Executive Director marks a significant development in the ongoing scandal and has raised questions about the need for greater transparency and accountability within government institutions. The Trade Minister's decisive action is seen by many as a step towards restoring public confidence in UNBS and sending a strong message against corruption in the public sector.
