On Tuesday, January 16, afternoon, the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) conducted a raid on the offices of the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged mismanagement.
The Standard learned that the operation carried out at the UIA offices along Baskerville Avenue in Kololo, Kampala, involved officials swarming into the premises around 4 pm.
The move was prompted by a tip suggesting that the agency’s internal auditor had employed eight staff members meddling with crucial documents related to an ongoing probe initiated mid-last month.
The alleged illegal activities were reportedly taking place on the seventh floor of the office.
During the raid, the implicated staff were expelled from the office, and documents were confiscated, leading to commotion that continued into the evening.
Inspectorate officials remained at the premises until approximately 1 a.m., according to sources.
Ms. Munira Ali, spokesperson for the government ombudsman, confirmed the raid, stating that it was part of an investigation into numerous complaints against UIA.
“The Inspectorate went to pick documents from UIA as part of investigations into numerous complaints against UIA that we have been receiving,” she said yesterday.
Seized documents reportedly included UIA’s assets register, management information, allocation of space to staff, personal files of selected staff, board and management minutes, internal and external audit reports, staff lists, and fuel management registers, all minutes of the evaluations and contract committees for the financial years 2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023, and 2023/2024.
Other documents of interest were all Local Purchasing Orders for the financial years 2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023, and all planning and performance reports for 2020/2021, 2021/2022, and 2022/2023.
Inspectorate officials reportedly seized UIA’s assets register, sitting management and allocation of space to staff, personal files of selected staff, and all board and management minutes for 2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023, and 2023/2024. All internal and external audit reports, staff lists, lists of staff recruited, and fuel management registers for the same period were seized.
The UIA is the statutory agency charged with initiating and supporting the government’s investment initiatives and policies. The agency has over the last five years been in the news, oscillating from one crisis to another, especially internal wrangling which boiled over with the ouster of the former director general, Ms Jolly Kaguhangire in June 2018. Ms Kaguhangire’s brief tenure was marred by squabbling with the board.
The then board led by now Buyanja East MP, Mr Emely Kugoza subsequently interdicted her on grounds including gross insubordination and incompetence. Ms Kaguhangire was cleared of the accusations by an IGG-led investigation but the board declined to reinstate her in the role.
Instead, the board went back to the drawing board and scouted for a new director general, Mr Robert Mukiza, whose appointment President Museveni initially stalled pending resolving issues surrounding Ms Kaguhangire’s ouster.
Eventually, in May 2021, Mr Museveni gave the nod to Finance Minister, Matia Kasaija to appoint Mr Mukiza.
In an internal memo to staff on Wednesday evening, Mr Mukiza moved to downplay the raid, maintaining that “management has nothing to hide and will fully cooperate with the investigations by the law.”
He explained that on Tuesday the Inspectorate issued a search warrant authorizing its staff and police officers to carry out a search at UIA premises and collect any oral, electronic, and documentary evidence.
Documents listed for seizure included, among others: approved budget and work plans, accountability files, procurement files, minutes of both board and management meetings, staff lists, personal files of selected staff, fuel management, and others.
He downplayed the incident, explaining that the Inspectorate issued a search warrant based on a complaint lodged with their office.
“The above search is said to be under a complaint lodged with the office of the IGG. However, UIA has not been availed a copy of the alleged complaint and as such management is not aware what exactly is being investigated and the motive behind the investigation,” he said, adding that the “UIA has been on a course in carrying out its mandate under the law without any interference revitalizing and increasing investment in Uganda which is crucial for the development of our country.”
However, UIA had not received a copy of the alleged complaint, leaving them unaware of the exact nature and motive behind the investigation.
Mr. Mukiza emphasized that UIA has been carrying out its mandate under the law without interference and remains committed to revitalizing and increasing investment in Uganda for the country’s development.
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