KAMPALA, UG – Former Uganda Retirement Benefits Regulatory Authority (URBRA) CEO Martin Anthony Nsubuga spent a staggering UGX 198 million on fuel for his official vehicles in just one financial year, a revelation that has fueled controversy over his tenure.
The shocking details emerged in a letter from Finance Minister Matia Kasaija to President Yoweri Museveni, explaining why Nsubuga’s contract was not renewed when it expired on May 14, 2024. The letter, written in response to a cabinet meeting held on October 28, 2024, at State House Entebbe, paints a picture of financial mismanagement and questionable leadership.
During the meeting, President Museveni criticized the URBRA board, led by Hon. Julius Bigirwa Junjula, for declining to extend Nsubuga’s contract. However, Kasaija, who supervises the authority, later wrote to the president to set the record straight, highlighting a series of governance and accountability concerns that made Nsubuga unsuitable for reappointment.
Fuel Spending and Lavish Perks
One of the most glaring concerns raised by Kasaija was Nsubuga’s extravagant fuel expenses.
According to the finance minister, the former CEO spent nearly UGX 200 million in the 2022/2023 financial year alone, maintaining a fleet of three Toyota Land Cruisers attached to his office. Meanwhile, other senior executives at the authority struggled with inadequate transport means.
The letter further alleges that Nsubuga repeatedly authorized fuel expenditures far beyond what had been allocated in URBRA’s budget, effectively disregarding financial controls.
Other Allegations of Mismanagement
Kasaija’s letter goes beyond fuel expenses, detailing over ten issues that raised red flags about Nsubuga’s leadership. These include:
- Irregular staff recruitment
- Sectarianism in hiring and promotions
- Questionable procurement practices, particularly in stationery and vehicle maintenance contracts
- Excessive spending on repairs for the CEO’s office vehicles
The finance minister expressed disappointment that despite shielding Nsubuga in the past, the former CEO’s actions had become indefensible.
Museveni’s Intervention
Before the October 28 cabinet meeting, President Museveni had met with Nsubuga through a female minister from Buganda. During the meeting, the president criticized the URBRA board and warned against appointing defeated former MPs as board members in the future.
However, Kasaija, who was present at the meeting, felt that the president had been misled about the circumstances surrounding Nsubuga’s non-renewal. Instead of responding immediately, he later opted to write a detailed letter to clarify the board’s decision.
Request for Private Meeting
In his letter, Kasaija requested an exclusive audience with the president to provide further details on Nsubuga’s tenure.
He argued that URBRA needed new leadership to restore accountability and efficiency.
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