18th August 2026
The current situation at URSB did not start with the recent allegations. It has a longer history involving Mr. Gilbert Agaba, Commissioner for Business Registration, and concerns about his leadership and management of the department.
Over time, concerns were raised about his management of staff, failure to hold regular departmental meetings, his working relationship with Assistant Commissioners, disruption of some projects, delays affecting staff payments, and alleged insubordination. These matters were handled internally and eventually resulted in disciplinary action and a formal warning from the Board.
Mr. Agaba had previously competed unsuccessfully for the position of Registrar General. In February 2026, he also applied for the position of Deputy Registrar General responsible for Registries and Legal Affairs but was unsuccessful.
He had also objected to his transfer to the Business Registration Department in 2025. The relationship between him and Management continued to deteriorate thereafter.
It was against this background, and while internal management and disciplinary matters were ongoing, that Mr. Agaba raised serious allegations against URSB leadership with external authorities. The allegations eventually reached the Attorney General, Hon. Sam Mayanja, and subsequently the President, resulting in serious action against URSB leadership.
Management disputes the allegations and maintains that several of them are inaccurate, misleading or unsupported by the institutional record.
There is also an important question of process. URSB falls under the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, headed by Hon. Norbert Mao, and has a Board chaired by Ambassador Francis Butagira. Yet the Minister, Board and affected Management officials were reportedly not given an opportunity to respond to the allegations before action was taken.
The current URSB matter should therefore not be viewed simply as a corruption or governance matter. Its full history — including the internal leadership disputes, disciplinary processes, unsuccessful applications for senior positions and subsequent escalation of allegations — should also be examined.
The investigation should establish the truth from documents, records and all the people involved. Everyone accused deserves to be heard, and every allegation should be tested against the facts.
James Odong
Concerned Citizen.
