The Inspectorate of Government (IGG) has halted the planned inauguration of newly appointed members of the National Drug Authority (NDA) board, citing concerns over how the appointments were handled.

The intervention stopped a swearing-in ceremony that had been scheduled in Kampala, where Dr. Medard Bitekyerezo was expected to assume office as board chairperson alongside Dr. Mbabali Muhammad as a board member.

Directive to Suspend the Process
In a formal communication dated March 2, the IGG instructed NDA management to immediately suspend all actions related to the contested appointments pending ongoing investigations.

The letter warned that failure to comply with lawful directives from the Inspectorate could amount to an offence under Uganda’s anti-corruption laws.
The directive followed an earlier communication sent to the Minister of Health advising that no further steps be taken to formalize the appointments while the matter was under review.

The IGG’s action stems from a complaint alleging that the appointments may have bypassed key legal and administrative requirements. Among the issues reportedly raised are:Questions about whether proper Cabinet procedures were followed
Concerns over mandatory security vetting
Absence of required financial and compliance clearances.

There are also claims of potential conflict of interest linked to the proposed board chairperson’s other professional engagements.
The Inspectorate indicated that preliminary findings suggest established procedures may not have been fully observed, prompting the temporary halt.

While some reports maintain that the inauguration has been officially stopped, sections of NDA leadership have reportedly disputed receiving formal notice at the time and insist the board remains properly constituted.The disagreement has fueled public debate over transparency and governance within one of Uganda’s most critical health regulatory institutions.

The NDA is responsible for regulating medicines and health-related products in Uganda, ensuring their safety, quality, and efficacy. Any leadership uncertainty within the authority has implications for public confidence in drug oversight and broader health sector governance.

For now, the fate of the contested board appointments rests on the outcome of the IGG’s investigations. Until then, the inauguration remains on hold, and the governance storm surrounding the authority is far from over.