In a recent development, Mr. Livingstone Ebiru, the head of Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), and Mr. Charles Musekuura, the chairman of the entity’s governing council, have been handed over to police detectives for questioning regarding bribery claims.
The investigation was initiated during their appearance before Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (Cosase).
During the committee hearing, Mr. Ebiru disclosed that he offered a sum of Shs100 million to the 10-member UNBS Council to secure his position as the executive director.
This move came after the Inspectorate of Government (IG) raised concerns over his suitability for the top job, to which he was appointed in May 2022.
When questioned by Cosase chairman Joel Ssenyonyi about the bribery allegations, Mr. Ebiru admitted to providing the mentioned amount, stating that a Council member, appointed by Mr. Musekuura, collected the cash from his office in a bag.
However, Mr. Musekuura, who had previously accused Mr. Ebiru of misusing Shs12.5 billion from the agency’s funds without proper authorization, refuted the claims of accepting bribes.
It’s worth noting that offering or receiving bribes is a criminal offense under the Anti-Corruption Act, 2009, carrying penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment or a fine of Shs4.8 million, or both.
Convicted individuals may also be ordered to reimburse the inducement in full, if in cash, or pay an equivalent value if in kind.
The revelation of these allegations has raised concerns among Members of Parliament (MPs) due to the organization’s supposed core values of integrity and professionalism.
UNBS, established by law in 1989, plays a vital role in determining and enforcing standards to safeguard the public from hazardous and sub-standard products in the market.
The ongoing investigations were originally initiated based on queries raised by the Auditor General in his report for the 2021/2022 financial year.
During their initial appearance before the Cosase, Mr. Ebiru accused Mr. Musekuura of being a “spy,” who gained unauthorized access to agency documents to implicate management. These claims sparked heated exchanges and led to their referral to detectives.
Among the issues addressed during the committee hearing were alleged irregular spending and improper allocation of funds, including the unauthorized use of Shs12.5 billion to cover rent and utility bills due to a budget shortfall of Shs20 billion.
These financial irregularities have further fueled the ongoing investigation into UNBS affairs.
House exchange over Shs100m bribe claim
Cosase chairperson Joel Ssenyonyi led the questioning which prompted UNBS executive director Livingstone Ebiru to allege that he paid Shs100m to then new members of his supervising Council to secure his job.
Q: Mr Livingstone Ebiru, are you confirming to this committee that you bribed board members with Shs100 million?
A: I was asked by the chair [of the Board] that I must do the need to cool down what [was] going on [at the time].
And you gave them Shs100m?
Yes, sir!
Where did you get the Shs100m from?
I borrowed the money.
So, was this personal money?
Yes, sir!
And you handed it over to who?
Through the representative of the [Council] chairman…
Was it cash?
Cash.
In a bag or what exactly?
In a bag.