President Yoweri Museveni has once again placed his confidence in Robert Mukiza by reappointing him as the head of the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), despite a storm of controversy that shook the institution just a year earlier. The decision comes after months of public scrutiny, internal conflict, and competing accusations that drew national attention.
The tensions trace back to a heated clash between Mukiza and State Minister for Investment Evelyn Anite. At the center of the dispute were claims that UIA officials had allocated themselves Shs545 million in questionable “honoraria,” funds that were reportedly meant for the development of Namanve Industrial Park. Anite strongly condemned the payments, labeling them as outright misuse of public resources and demanding accountability.
Mukiza, however, rejected the accusations and maintained that the payments were legitimate. He argued that the funds had been properly approved by the board as compensation for additional responsibilities undertaken by staff. His defense set the stage for a prolonged standoff, with both sides unwilling to back down.
As the disagreement intensified, Mukiza turned the spotlight back on Anite, accusing her of leveraging her position to interfere with institutional processes. He specifically pointed to alleged attempts to influence decisions through international connections, including engagement with the British High Commission, claims that further deepened the divide.
With the dispute escalating into a full-blown public controversy, President Museveni stepped in to calm the situation. He ordered formal investigations into the allegations while also calling on both leaders to find common ground. His intervention underscored the seriousness of the conflict and its potential impact on Uganda’s investment climate.
In a twist that added complexity to the saga, an independent probe led by Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka later cleared UIA officials of wrongdoing in relation to a separate Shs32 billion payment. The findings appeared to strengthen Mukiza’s position, even as questions lingered in the public domain.
Meanwhile, new claims emerged from whistleblowers accusing Anite of influence peddling and possible conflicts of interest. These allegations introduced yet another dimension to an already tangled situation, leaving observers uncertain about where the truth ultimately lay.
Despite the controversies and unresolved tensions, Museveni’s decision to retain Mukiza signals a clear endorsement of his leadership. While the Uganda Investment Authority moves forward under familiar stewardship, the echoes of the past dispute remain, casting a shadow that may continue to shape perceptions of the agency for some time.
