The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Lady Justice Naluzze Aisha Batala, has directed the immediate interdiction of Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) Registrar General Mercy Kainobwisho as investigations into allegations of corruption and financial impropriety at the government agency get underway.
In a directive dated August 18, 2026, the IGG ordered Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs Norbert Mao to interdict Kainobwisho from exercising the powers and functions of her office pending the conclusion of the investigations.
The Inspectorate of Government said it is investigating allegations against Kainobwisho involving embezzlement of government funds, abuse of office, institutional mismanagement, money laundering and maladministration.
According to the IGG, the interdiction is intended to protect the integrity of the investigations, prevent possible interference and serve the public interest.
The directive is anchored in Article 230 of the Constitution of Uganda and Section 13(6) of the Inspectorate of Government Act, Cap. 32, which empower the IGG to issue orders and directions considered necessary and appropriate in the course of its duties.
“In the instant case, public interest demands that while investigations against the above officer are still ongoing, she should be suspended from exercising the powers and functions of her office,” the IGG said.
Mao has also been directed, in consultation with the URSB Board, to put in place interim arrangements to ensure the uninterrupted discharge of the Registrar General’s functions during the period of interdiction.
The minister has further been ordered to suspend a planned URSB residential Executive Training programme at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi.
The training, which was scheduled to run from August 16 to August 21, 2026, will remain suspended until the IGG concludes its investigations or issues further guidance.
The IGG’s action has also swept in three other senior URSB officials, deepening the scrutiny of the Bureau’s top management.
In a separate directive to URSB Board Chairperson Francis Butagira, the IGG ordered the interdiction of Deputy Registrar General Alex Aganya, Commissioner for ICT and Innovations Arthur Kwesiga and Assistant Commissioner for Business Registration Services Walid Kule.
The three officials are also facing investigations into allegations of corruption.
Butagira has been directed to make appropriate interim arrangements to ensure the affected offices continue functioning and that URSB services are not disrupted.
The URSB Board, management and staff have also been directed to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigations and provide the necessary support and information required to facilitate their completion.
URSB is responsible for important statutory services, including business registration and intellectual property-related registrations, making continuity of its operations a key concern during the investigations.
The interdiction of the officials is an administrative measure intended to facilitate investigations and does not in itself amount to a finding of guilt against them.
Mercy Kainobwisho took over as the Registrar General and Executive Director of the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) in December 2020.
She was appointed by the URSB Board of Directors on December 8, 2020, succeeding Bemanya Twebaze, who left to head the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO). Prior to taking over the top role, she served as the Director of Intellectual Property at the Bureau.
Born in 1979) Kainobwisho is alawyer, business administrator and corporate executive She holds a bachelors of Law degree, obtained from the Makerere University,Diploma in legal and masters of law awarded by the University of Turin in Italy. She also holds Masters in Business Administration from Makerere University Business School
