UNBS boss Ebiru fired

In a recommendation letter dated August 4 to the Minister for Trade, Industry, and Co-operatives, Francis Mwebesa, the governing council of UNBS, the National Standards Council, suggested that Ebiru be relieved of his duties.

According to the Minister, Ebiru's admission of bribery under oath and attempt to withdraw such an allegation caused great harm to the reputation of the chairperson and members of the council.

"The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to inform you that I hereby disqualify you from the position of Executive Director of UNBS with immediate effect, in accordance with Section 11(2), (5) (b) and (c) of the UNB Amendment Act 2013," Mwebesa writes in part in his letter to Ebiru.

The letter also stated that the charges of bribery levied against Ebiru concern the council and that a decision had been reached to relieve him of his duties.

On August 1st, the National Standards Council held a special meeting to review and analyse evidence about the charges of misconduct, mismanagement, and misappropriation of funds, as well as the accused's response, and declared him guilty.

While testifying before parliament's Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE) committee, the minister was astounded to learn that Ebiru was still in office despite being placed on forced leave earlier in June.

While appearing before COSASE, Ebiru said that he bribed the UNBS Council with Sh100 million to renew his contract.

The committee’s chairperson, Joel Ssenyonyi, tasked Ebiru to explain why there was mismanagement of funds and corruption at UNBS.

Ssenyonyi also tasked the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, Francis Mwebesa, to explain why he wrote a letter to Ebiru suspending him for six months on June 26, 2023, but on June 27, 2023, he wrote another letter to the chairperson of the UNBS board rescinding his earlier decision.

He also tasked the board chairperson, Charles Musekuura, to state why he was given the authority to suspend Ebiru, but he didn't.