In a significant leadership change at the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), Daniel Richard Makayi Nangalama has been appointed as the acting Executive Director, replacing Livingstone Ebiru, who is facing serious corruption allegations. The appointment was made by the National Standards Council and confirmed in a statement released by UNBS on Monday afternoon.
Daniel Richard Makayi Nangalama had been serving as the deputy Executive Director in charge of management and financial services prior to his new appointment. The decision comes as a response to the ongoing investigation into Livingstone Ebiru's alleged involvement in corrupt practices.
Ebiru's troubles intensified when an arrest warrant was issued against him by the Inspectorate of Government (IGG). Deputy IGG Anne Twinomugisah Muhairwe issued the warrant on July 21, 2023, ordering the police to apprehend Ebiru for his failure to appear before the Inspectorate of Government as summoned and respond to allegations related to corruption.
In the wake of the warrant, the ombudsman directed any officer who encounters Ebiru to arrest him immediately. This move reflects the seriousness of the allegations and the determination to hold those involved in corruption accountable.
The situation further escalated last week when Livingstone Ebiru appeared before Parliament's Committee on Public Accounts – Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) and confessed to offering a bribe of shs100 million in an attempt to secure his position and prevent the termination of his contract. He specifically stated that the bribe was handed over to a board member for distribution.
However, Charles Musekuura, the UNBS board chairperson, has firmly denied any knowledge of such a transaction taking place, categorically denying the allegations against the board. The conflicting statements have added to the complexity of the case and raised concerns about the internal workings of the organization.
The appointment of Daniel Richard Makayi Nangalama as the acting Executive Director is seen as a crucial step towards maintaining stability and ensuring the smooth functioning of UNBS amid the ongoing investigation. Nangalama's experience as the deputy Executive Director is expected to bring stability to the organization during this period of transition.
The UNBS will now face the challenge of addressing the corruption allegations and restoring public trust in the organization. As investigations continue, the eyes of the nation will be on Nangalama as he takes charge of UNBS and strives to uphold the standards of integrity and accountability in the country's regulatory body.
