Controversy Erupts Over UNBS Executive Director Appointment

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A storm is brewing over the recent appointment of Eng. James Kwesiga Nkamwesiga as the Executive Director of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS). The announcement, made last week, has sparked heated debate and raised eyebrows among stakeholders, with some questioning the selection process and the Minister’s decision.

The UNBS had advertised the position in January, and a rigorous selection exercise ensued, involving three assessments: Psychometric Assessment, Written Technical Test, and PowerPoint Presentation and Oral Interview. The results, which were circulated among the candidates, revealed that Muyambi Fortunate Benda emerged top with an impressive 79.9%, followed closely by Segawa Apollo with 79.25%. Nkamwesiga, the eventual appointee, scored 63.12%, ranking third among the six shortlisted candidates.

A closer analysis of the results reveals a striking disparity in the performance of the top three candidates across the three assessments. While Muyambi excelled in all three, Nkamwesiga struggled in the Written Technical Test, scoring a mere 48 out of 100. This raises questions about the weight given to each assessment and the overall evaluation process.

Despite five candidates scoring above the cut-off point of 60%, the National Standards Council recommended only the top two to the Minister. The Council’s decision has been criticized for being opaque, with some arguing that it failed to provide a clear justification for overlooking the top scorer, Muyambi.

The controversy took a new turn when Ahimbisibwe George, a concerned citizen, wrote to the Attorney General, contesting the appointment as “illegal” and contrary to the UNBS Act. Ahimbisibwe’s lawyers, Wanambugo & Company Advocates, argue that the Minister exceeded his powers by appointing a candidate who was not the top recommendation of the National Standards Council.

However, Mustapha Mugisa, a business management consultant, offers a different perspective, suggesting that the Minister had the discretion to consider other factors beyond the assessment results. “Anyone with 60% or above is a qualified candidate, and the appointing authority can select the best fit based on their requirements,” Mugisa notes.

As the controversy continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the appointment of Eng. James Kwesiga Nkamwesiga as UNBS Executive Director has sparked a heated debate about the transparency and fairness of the selection process. The Attorney General’s response to Ahimbisibwe’s complaint will be closely watched, and the outcome may have far-reaching implications for the institution and the country at large.