Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) has suspended scrutiny of the Auditor General’s report on the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) amid a dispute over who is lawfully heading the institution.
The committee’s decision followed the appearance of Dr Protazio Sande, who presented himself as the Acting Chief Executive Officer, while Dr Ibrahim Kaddunabbi Lubega also appeared before the committee as Chief Executive Officer.
The leadership dispute has raised questions about the authority and legitimacy of the individuals currently presenting themselves as heads of the insurance sector regulator.
COSASE Chairperson Hon. Muwada Nkunyingi, the National Unity Platform (NUP) MP for Kyadondo County East, said the committee would seek clarification from the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury on who is legally mandated to head the IRA.
The committee also heard from former IRA Board Chairperson Dr Isaac Nkote Nabeta, who said the board had declined to recommend Kaddunabbi for reappointment.
The current Board Chairperson, Keto Nyapendi Kayemba, reportedly confirmed that the decision had been upheld and that Dr Sande was subsequently appointed in an acting capacity.
The committee has also requested a copy of the court injunction issued in connection with Kaddunabbi’s case to establish the legal position surrounding the leadership of the authority.
The High Court has reportedly halted the appointment of a substantive Chief Executive Officer while allowing Dr Sande to continue serving as Acting Chief Executive Officer pending the determination of the dispute.
The committee is expected to resume scrutiny of the Auditor General’s report after receiving clarification from the Treasury and examining the relevant court documents.
The leadership dispute comes at a time when Parliament is seeking accountability over the operations and financial management of statutory authorities, making clarity over the IRA’s leadership critical to the ongoing audit scrutiny.
