By Sekaggya Seka Moses
Kampala, Uganda – The Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, has advised the Minister of Trade, Francis Mwebesa, to cancel the appointment of James Nkamwesiga Kasigwa as the Executive Director of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), citing contravention of the law.
In a letter dated July 26, Kiwanuka recommended that Mwebesa cancel the appointment, which was made without the recommendation of the UNBS board, and withdraw the lawsuit filed by Fortunate Muyambi Benda, who challenged the appointment process.
Mwebesa had appointed Nkamwesiga as the new UNBS boss effective May 13, 2024, despite not being the top candidate recommended by the board.
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The appointment sparked opposition, with several individuals, including Benda, claiming that Mwebesa violated the UNBS Act.
Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuuzi had earlier written to Mwebesa, stating that the minister acted contrary to the law by not considering the board’s recommendation.
Kafuuzi noted that Nkamwesiga was the third candidate, not the best-suited person for the position.
The UNBS Act, as amended in 2013, requires the minister to appoint the Executive Director based on the board’s recommendation, introducing a system of checks and balances to ensure a transparent selection process.
Kiwanuka’s advice comes after the government was sued over the appointment, and he recommended settling the matter out of court to avoid further legal complications.
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