The Office of the Inspector General of Government (IGG) has issued an arrest warrant against David Livingstone Ebiru, the Executive Director of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), following allegations of corruption.
The warrant was authenticated by Deputy IGG Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe, who expressed disappointment at Ebiru’s failure to respond to previous summons issued by the IGG last week.
Ebiru had been called upon to appear before the Inspectorate of Government and provide information related to the ongoing inquiry of his involvement in the misappropriation of government funds amounting to about Shs12.5 billion.
However, he ignored the summons, leading to the issuance of the arrest warrant as a consequence of his non-compliance.
During a session with Parliament’s Committee on Commissions Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), Ebiru initially confessed to offering Shs100 Million to the National Standards Council (NSC) to secure his position as the UNBS boss.
However, just two days later, he retracted his statement, claiming that his bribery allegations against his boss, NSC Chairperson Charles Musekuura, and other Council members were made in the heat of the moment.
Ebiru faces accusations, including misappropriation of government funds amounting to about Shs12.5 billion and allegations of protecting five staff members under his supervision who allegedly caused a financial loss of Shs9.28 billion.
In the wake of these developments, the National Standards Council (NSC) has appointed Daniel Richard Makayi Nangalama as the Acting Executive Director of the UNBS. Prior to this appointment, Makayi had been serving as the Deputy ED in charge of Management and Financial Services.
With Ebiru sent on forced leave, his failure to comply with the IGG’s summons has led to a serious legal situation, leaving him potentially facing arrest by the Police, as ordered by the Office of the IGG.