Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) Commissioner Gilbert Agaba Placed on Mandatory Leave Amid Investiga

• URSB Commissioner Gilbert Agaba has been placed on mandatory leave as part of a government investigation into alleged financial misconduct and abuse of office.
• The move aims to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigations, which are being led by the Inspector General of Government (IGG) alongside auditors from the Office of the President.
• Agaba's tenure at URSB has been marked by controversy, with internal concerns raised over his management style and alleged insubordination.

The move aims to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigations, which are being led by the Inspector General of Government (IGG) alongside auditors from the Office of the President.

The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) has been embroiled in controversy, with top officials placed on mandatory leave as the government conducts an audit and investigation into alleged financial misconduct, abuse of office, and institutional mismanagement. At the center of the storm is Commissioner for Registration Services Gilbert Agaba, who was among those directed to step aside by Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao. The move aims to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigations, which are being led by the Inspector General of Government (IGG) alongside auditors from the Office of the President. This development follows a directive from President Museveni to institute an audit of URSB, sparked by allegations against the agency's leadership.

Agaba's tenure at URSB has been marked by controversy, with internal concerns raised over his management style, including alleged insubordination and poor coordination with senior officials. The issues led to an internal disciplinary process, resulting in a formal warning from the URSB Board. Agaba had also previously contested for key positions within the agency, including Registrar General and Deputy Registrar General, but was unsuccessful. His relationship with management further deteriorated after he objected to his transfer to the Business Registration Department in 2025.

The ongoing investigation is expected to examine various allegations raised by Agaba, including suspected money laundering through the non-individual register project, embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, unauthorised expenditure, irregular procurement, fraudulent registrations, weak internal financial controls, and under-collection of revenue. These concerns were first raised with URSB Board Chairman Ambassador Francis Butagira before being escalated to external authorities, including the Economic Crimes Division of the Uganda Police Force and the Attorney General. The investigation is being led by the Inspector General of Government (IGG) alongside auditors from the Office of the President.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for the outcome of this investigation, as it may set a precedent for disciplinary action against senior officials in Uganda's registration services bureau.

Source: Original reporting via [Source]