Why IGG has halted NDA board appointments

KAMPALA - The Inspector General of Government (IGG) has halted the appointments of some National Drug Authority (NDA) board members, pending investigations.

In a letter dated March 2, 2026, the Deputy IGG Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe directed the NDA secretary to halt the appointment of Dr Medard Bitekyerezo and Dr Muhammad Mbabali to the 9th NDA board, pending the conclusion of investigations.

“This is to direct you to halt any further action regarding the appointment of Bitekyerezo and Mbabali to the 9th NDA board, pending conclusion of the investigations or further orders from this office,” the Deputy IGG directed.

The investigations follow a whistleblower’s complaint alleging that several members of the NDA board were appointed irregularly in breach of established processes and procedures.

According to the Deputy IGG, the inspectorate drew the matter to the attention of health minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng in a letter dated February 26, 2026, through which a directive was issued halting any further action to formalise the said irregular appointments, pending conclusion of investigations.

Illegal swearing-in ceremony

Muhairwe said they have received information that the NDA board members are scheduled to proceed with the swearing-in ceremony today, March 2, 2026, in spite of Deputy IGG’s directive.

The inauguration of the new board had been scheduled for today [Monday] at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Kololo, Kampala. The Chief Magistrate of the Uganda Wildlife Court, Gladys Kamasanyu, is expected to preside over the swearing-in ceremony.

She said that their actions will amount to disobedience of lawful orders of the Inspectorate of Government, contrary to section 34 (C) of the Inspectorate of Government Act Cap 32, which is an offence which attracts a maximum sentence of three years imprisonment, upon conviction.

According to the petition, Bitekyerezo and Mbabali were appointed on November 7, 2025, as chairperson and board member representing the Uganda Dental Association, respectively. The whistleblower claims the appointments were made in anticipation of the expiry of their current contracts on February 20, 2026.

Sources say divisions among some board members, with several reportedly considering skipping the ceremony over fears of possible arrest for contempt of the IGG, which exercises powers equivalent to those of the High Court in such matters.

The complainant states that the issue requires urgent intervention to prevent what is described as the regularisation of irregular appointments.

The whistleblower alleges that the appointments breached established procedures, including nomination by respective professional bodies, security vetting by Interpol, issuance of a certificate of financial implication by the finance ministry and approval by Cabinet.

The petition further states that Bitekyerezo and Mbabali have served on the NDA board since 2017, completing nine years of service, and are now set to serve an additional three-year term ending in 2029.

“The Act is silent on the number of terms a member may serve,” the petition reads in part.

Established under the NDA Act, the authority comprises 20 members. The whistleblower argues that the board’s size and composition are too large and diverse to effectively deliver on its mandate.

The complainant also raised concerns over potential conflicts of interest within the board’s membership.

The whistleblower notes that Bitekyerezo also serves on the board of the National Medical Stores (NMS), while NMS general manager Dr Moses Kamabare sits on the NDA board, despite the NDA’s supervisory role over NMS in product quality assurance.

The petition further cites Section 5 of the NDA Act, which establishes an NDA Commission consisting of the chairperson and four members selected from the authority.

The commission exercises functions similar to those of the full authority and has powers to determine its working procedures.

According to the whistleblower, this arrangement creates an alternative power centre within the authority and blurs the separation of roles between the commission and the full board.

Under Article 230(1)(a) and (c) of the Constitution and Section 7(1)(a) and (c) of the Inspectorate of Government Act, the Inspectorate of Government is mandated to enforce adherence to the rule of law and principles of natural justice, as well as promote good governance and efficiency in public administration.