KAMPALA — The Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) on Monday suspended scrutiny of the Insurance Regulatory Authority's (IRA) accountability after officials failed to clarify who the Authority's legally mandated Accounting Officer is.
The committee also summoned Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury Ramathan Ggoobi and former IRA Chief Executive Officer Hajji Ibrahim Lubega Kaddunabbi to explain the leadership dispute before consideration of the Authority's 2024/25 financial accounts can proceed.
IRA officials, led by Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Protazio Sande, had appeared before COSASE to present accountability for the 2024/25 financial year. However, the proceedings stalled shortly after they began as legislators questioned the legality of the Authority's leadership arrangements.
Committee Chairperson Muwadda Nkunyingi said documents presented to the committee indicated that Dr Sande had been appointed by the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury rather than the Minister of Finance, contrary to the Insurance Regulatory Authority Act.
"Dr Sande was appointed by the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Ramathan Ggoobi, instead of the Minister of Finance as required by the IRA Act. That deviation undermines the chain of authority in public appointments," Nkunyingi said.
The committee further noted that while Dr Sande had presented documents appointing him as Acting Chief Executive Officer, he did not produce evidence showing he had also been designated the Authority's Accounting Officer.
Legislators said the omission made it impossible for the committee to proceed with scrutiny of public expenditure.
"You cannot come here to account for public money without clear authority," committee member Dr Timothy Batuwa said.
The committee's concerns deepened after members learnt that former CEO Hajji Ibrahim Lubega Kaddunabbi had not handed over office despite a directive from the IRA Board.
"We are shocked that the former CEO has not handed over office. This impasse has left the Authority without clear leadership and is affecting service delivery," Nkunyingi said.
Members described the situation as a governance crisis that had created uncertainty over the Authority's leadership.
COSASE subsequently directed the IRA delegation to leave the proceedings and ordered that they return with the Authority's Board of Directors, Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury Ramathan Ggoobi, and former CEO Hajji Ibrahim Lubega Kaddunabbi.
"The PSST must explain why he performed the role of the Minister in appointing the CEO. The former CEO must also explain why he has refused to hand over office and the official vehicle," Nkunyingi said.
The committee said it would first resolve the governance dispute before examining the Authority's accountability for public funds for the 2024/25 financial year.
