KAMPALA — Inspector General of Government (IGG) Lady Justice Naluze Aisha Batala has directed the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, to immediately interdict Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) Registrar General Mercy K. Kainobwisho as investigations into alleged corruption at the agency get underway.
The IGG announced the directive on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, saying the measure is intended to facilitate investigations into allegations involving the bureau.
The directive also affects other senior URSB officials, with the bureau’s board instructed to suspend Deputy Registrar General for Finance and Administration Alex Anganya, Commissioner for ICT Arthur Kwesiga and Assistant Commissioner for Business Registration Walid Kule, according to the IGG.
The investigations reportedly concern allegations including embezzlement, abuse of office, money laundering and mismanagement at the government agency.
The interdiction is an administrative measure intended to keep the officials away from their duties while investigations proceed and does not amount to a finding of guilt.
URSB is responsible for several key functions, including business registration, intellectual property administration, civil registration and insolvency and receivership services.
Kainobwisho has served as URSB Registrar General since December 2020 and is also the bureau’s Official Receiver, Chief Executive and Accounting Officer. URSB’s official profile says she has 18 years’ experience in law, public-sector governance and institutional leadership.
The bureau’s official records also identify Arthur Kwesiga as Commissioner for ICT and Innovation. In May 2026, URSB reported that Kwesiga was leading public engagements on the bureau’s new Non-Individual Register system.
URSB’s 2023/24 annual report identifies Alex Anganya as Deputy Registrar General for Finance and Administration and Kwesiga as Director of ICT and Innovation.
Probe comes amid wider anti-corruption drive
The latest action follows a series of interdictions ordered by the IGG against senior public officials facing corruption-related investigations or court proceedings.
In July, the IGG directed the Clerk to Parliament to interdict seven senior parliamentary officials who were facing corruption charges, including Director of Communications and Public Affairs Chris Ariko Obore.
The Inspectorate has previously investigated allegations involving URSB. In an earlier case, the IGG ordered the dismissal of three senior government officials following whistleblower allegations concerning recruitment and management at the bureau.
The current investigation, however, concerns the officials named in the August 18, 2026 directive, and allegations against them should not be treated as established until the investigations and any subsequent judicial proceedings are concluded.
The IGG has directed the relevant authorities to ensure that URSB’s operations continue without disruption as the investigation proceeds.
