By Insight Post Uganda
Kampala- Uganda
The Executive Director of Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), David Livingstone Ebiru, has been suspended for six-month on allegations of fraud and misconduct.
The unpaid suspension was affected by the Minister of Trade, Industries, and Cooperatives, Francis Mwebesa in response to the alleged crimes against the taxpayers and the growing public outrage.
Unpaid suspension is a way for the employer to ensure that the employee does not benefit financially from their alleged wrongdoing.
The Minister’s decision was communicated to Ebiru through a letter dated July 20, 2023, with immediate effect, to facilitate a thorough investigation into the accusations of misappropriation of funds, misconduct, and abuse of office.
“In light of the serious allegations against you, you are hereby directed to step aside for a period of six months with effect from 20 July 2023 to enable sufficient investigations into your misappropriation of funds, misconduct, and abuse of office”, the suspension letter read.
In addition to this, the Chairperson of the Standards Council was also notified to ensure the appointment of a suitable caretaker for the position and a proper investigation within the specified timeframe, in accordance with the law.
Ebiru stands accused of being involved in an unauthorised expenditure of UGX12.5 billion, which was flagged in the Auditor General’s Report for the fiscal year 2021/2022 on the financial statements of UNBS.
The money in question was allegedly transferred from the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) suppliers account to a Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) account, designated to receive donor funds under UNBS.
The investigation into Ebiru’s actions was initiated by Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (PAC-COSASE), chaired by Joel Ssenyonyi.
During the investigation, the Chairperson of the UNBS Board, Charles Musekuura, revealed that out of the UGX17.964 billion in the GAIN account, Ebiru had only authorized 5.499 billion Shillings to be transferred to the Consolidated Fund.
The remaining UGX12.464 billion were allegedly utilized by Ebiru’s directives to support the Bureau’s operations.
Ebiru admitted that his actions violated the Public Finance Management Act of 2014, but he justified them by citing the Bureau’s critical obligations after experiencing a budget cut of UGX20 billion during the reviewed fiscal year.
Earlier, on 26th and 27th June 2023, the Inspectorate of Government and UNBS Board had sent letters respectively to suspend Ebiru from his position to allow for an investigation into the alleged malpractices.
However, in a surprising revelation, Ebiru confessed to bribing the UNBS Board with UGX100 million to avoid suspension.
Public Outcry
The gravity of the situation has propelled the affair beyond the boardrooms and into the public spotlight, with media platforms and public spaces aflame with the collective voice of a nation seeking accountability. The future of the UNBS hangs in the balance, and the journey to uncover the truth has only just begun.
The public outcry against Ebiru has reached a boiling point, with taxpayers across the nation demanding that he and other officials implicated in the mismanagement of public funds take full responsibility for his actions.
Fueled by anger and frustration, citizens are vociferously insisting that Ebiru return all the misappropriated funds, and with interest.
Their sentiment is clear; they refuse to shoulder the burden of paying for his mess. This outcry has transcended conventional boundaries and is echoing throughout social media platforms, radio stations, and public spaces.
The collective voice of the taxpayers is resolute, calling for accountability and justice in the face of alleged financial misconduct.
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