MPs have questioned the credibility of the appointment of Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) Acting chief executive officer Protazio Sande, saying the process that led to his appointment appears to have raised legal and governance concerns.
The concerns emerged when the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) met officials from the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) to examine audit queries for the 2025/2026 financial year.
Committee chairperson Muwada Nkunyingi, the Kyadondo East MP, said the committee could not proceed with the hearing because of what he described as contradictory information presented by the authority.
“Because of your contradictory information, the committee cannot proceed. The meeting is adjourned until August 10, when you are expected to return with the chairperson of the board and all the supporting documents regarding this matter,” Muwada said.
The committee questioned whether Sande was the appropriate official to respond to audit queries relating to the previous financial year. Members argued that his appointment itself was under question and that he could not adequately explain matters that happened before he assumed office.
Muwada said the committee had resolved to summon former IRA Chief Executive Officer Ibrahim Kaddunabi Lubega to answer the outstanding audit queries because he was in charge of the authority during the period under review. [WATCH VIDEO]
The committee also resolved to invite the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Ramathan Ggoobi, and, if necessary, the Minister of Finance, Henry Musasizi, to explain issues surrounding the authority’s leadership and governance.
During the meeting, Sande told MPs that there had been no formal handover following the departure of Lubega. He said official government property, including a laptop, an iPad, a Toyota Land Cruiser V8, and office keys, had not been handed over.
He also informed the committee that Lubega had taken the government to court after his contract was not renewed.
Muwada asked Sande whether he had contacted Lubega to recover the authority’s assets or seek information about the outstanding issues.
Sande replied that he had not.
Jinja South West MP Dr Timothy Batuwa Lusala questioned the legality of Sande’s appointment. He said the committee needed an explanation because Sande had indicated that his appointment was made by the Secretary to the Treasury instead of the Minister of Finance, which members believed could be contrary to the law.
Batuwa said Parliament needed to resolve the governance issues before proceeding with the audit to protect public funds.
Rubanda West MP Bruce Balaba Kabaasa asked whether the Insurance Regulatory Authority had adequate safeguards to protect insurance companies in the event of market instability or the collapse of an insurer.
When asked whether the IRA has a vote under the Ministry of Finance, Sande said it does not. However, when asked how the authority is funded, he explained that it collects annual levies from insurance companies and that its budget is approved by the Ministry of Finance before it is submitted to Parliament for approval.
The responses prompted further concern among committee members, who said the answers appeared inconsistent.
The IRA board secretary defended Sande’s appointment, insisting that the process followed the law. The official promised that the board would present all the relevant documents when it returns before the committee.
