The National Standards Council has appointed Daniel Nangalama as the acting Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) executive director.

Nangalama replaces embattled David Livingstone Ebiru who was sent on forced leave.

UNBS, in a statement issued on Monday, says Nangalama has been serving at the bureau as the deputy executive director in charge of management and financial services.

“UNBS is committed to performing its mandate of developing promoting and enforcing standards in the protection of public health and safety and environment against dangerous and sub-standard products," the statement reads.

Arrest warrant against Ebiru

The appointment of Nangalama comes against the backdrop of an arrest warrant issued against Ebiru by the Inspectorate of Government (IG).

In a warrant issued on Monday, the IG says Ebiru had failed to heed to the summons that required him to report to their office on Friday last week to respond to allegations of engaging in corrupt practices that were levelled against him.

“Whereas Ebiru was ordered to appear before the IG at 2:00pm, on July 21, 2023, and subsequent days to furnish information about the stated inquiry, he has not appeared and has not furnished any information,” the warrant reads in part.

The summons further directs any police officer 'to apprehend, bring or have the said Ebiru and brought before the IG'.

Sent on forced leave

On Friday, trade minister Francis Mwebesa sent Ebiru on forced leave over charges related to misconduct and misappropriation of funds at UNBS.

In his July 20, 2023, letter, Mwebesa tells Ebiru: “In light of the serious allegations raised against you, you are hereby directed to step aside for a period of six months with effect from today, July 20, 2023, to enable sufficient investigations into your misappropriation of funds, misconduct and abuse of office”.

Mwebesa on Friday told the parliament committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) that he had asked Ebiru to step aside for six months to create room for the investigations into the charges levied against him: "As we talk here, I expect this man to be on leave”.

The Auditor General’s report for the financial year 2021/2022, implicated Ebiru in misappropriating shillings 12.9 billion and also shielding five staff from reprimand after they caused a financial loss worth shillings 9.3 billion.

On Wednesday, July 19, 2023, Ebiru, while appearing before COSACE claimed he had bribed UNBS board members with shillings 100 million to retain and extend his contract.

He later retracted his statement on Thursday, July 20 and said he made the remarks out of anger.