Veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda has called on Uganda National Mining Company (UNMC) Chief Executive Officer Gerald Banaga-Baingi to vacate office immediately following his reported interdiction by the Inspector General of Government (IGG).
Mwenda claimed that Banaga-Baingi was still at his workplace despite the IGG’s decision to interdict him and Corporation Secretary Lelia Bwambale to pave the way for a comprehensive investigation into the state-owned mining company.
In a statement, Mwenda said sources within UNMC had informed him that Banaga-Baingi remained in office, raising questions about the implementation of the IGG’s directive.
He alleged that the company’s board chairperson, Maria Kiwanuka, had not formally communicated the interdiction decision to the CEO.
“Nonetheless, Banaga-Baingi must have read the official statement of the IGG on X (Twitter),” Mwenda said, arguing that the CEO should comply with the decision.
Mwenda further alleged that Banaga-Baingi’s continued presence in office amounted to defiance of the anti-corruption agency and could undermine efforts to investigate the company.
He suggested that the CEO’s continued stay could be intended to facilitate the concealment of evidence, although he did not provide evidence to substantiate the allegation.
The journalist also said he had spoken to Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who also chairs the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), regarding the matter.
According to Mwenda, Kainerugaba expressed full support for the IGG’s decision and opposed any defiance of the interdiction.
Mwenda urged Banaga-Baingi to leave office without delay, warning that authorities could use police or the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) to remove him if he failed to comply.
The developments place the leadership of UNMC under scrutiny as the IGG moves to investigate the company. However, the specific allegations under investigation and the circumstances that prompted the interdictions were not detailed in Mwenda’s statement.
The claims regarding Banaga-Baingi’s continued presence in office and the alleged failure to formally notify him had not been independently verified. The positions of the IGG, UNMC board chairperson Kiwanuka and the affected officials were also not included in the statement.
UNMC is a state-owned entity established to participate in Uganda’s mining sector and help the government derive greater value from the country’s mineral resources. The outcome of the reported investigation could have implications for the company’s management and accountability.