Shock as Candidate who Came Third in Interviews Lands Top Museveni Government Job

In what looks a controversial appointment, the new Executive Director (ED) of Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS),  Eng James Kasigwa Nkamwesiga, came third in interviews, leaving many questions on why those who beat him missed out on the juicy job.

The selection exercise for a new UNBS ED began in January 2024. Interviews were done in four areas, totalling to 100 points (100%). These were: psychometric assessment, written technical test, PowerPoint presentation and oral interview.

The candidates were: Fortunate Muyambi Benda, Apollo Segawa James Kasigwa Nkamwesiga, Basil Ajer, Samson Akankiza Mpiira and Joachim Charles Nkwanga.

The Pearl Times has seen a copy of results from the interviews. Overall, Fortunate Muyambi Benda got 79.9 per cent, Apollo Segawa 79.25 per cent, James Kasigwa Nkamwesiga 63.12 per cent, Basil Ajer 61.46 per cent, Samson Akankiza Mpiira 60.46 per cent and Joachim Charles Nkwanga 46.74 per cent.

In the psychometric assessment, Muyambi got 28.64 out if 33.3; followed by Nkamwesiga with 25.97 out of 33.3, and Segawa with 25.64 out 33.3.

In the written technical test, Nkamwesiga was the second last, scoring below average. Nkamwesiga had 15.98 out of 33.3, only beating Nkwanga who had 7.66 out of 33.3. Muyambi was on top of the pack with 25.64 out of 33.3, followed by Segawa with 25.31 out of 33.3; Ajer with 19.98 out of 33.3; and Akankiza with 17.65 out of 33.3.

Scoring 6.36 out of 10, Nkamwesiga was the fifth in power point presentations, only managing to beat Nkwanga who got 5.36 out of 10. Segawa topped the pack with 8.64 out of 10 followed by Muyambi with 7.42 out of 10, Akankiza with 6.92 out of 10 and Ajer with 6.67 out of 10.

In oral interviews, Nkamwesiga was the fifth with 31.79 out of 50, only managing to beat Nkwanga who scored 27.29 out of 50. Segawa led the pack with 42.36 out of 50 followed by Muyambi with 38.75, Ajer with 32.67 and Akankiza with 32.42.

So, how did a candidate who posted this performance get appointed?

In the notice for the release of the results, the Board wrote, “Please note that none of the three sets of tests/assessment should be considered in isolation but rather wholesomely. This is the reason why the overall score if it is at or above the cut-off, 60%, should be considered as a good basis for recommending a candidate.”

In a letter to the minister of trade, industry and cooperatives in which he submitted the interview report, UNBS chairperson Charles Musekuura recommended Nkamwesiga based on the fact that he scored the 60% cutoff.

This left some on social media arguing that government did not care about the quality of people it hires for such a top job that concerns the quality of products on the market. Others blamed tribalism.

Corruption, bribery and controversy have been rife at UNBS. Last year, the rot at UNBS was unearthed after ED Ebiru and Board Chairman Musekura bitterly exercised before Cosase, with the then ED accusing Musekura of spying on him and the board accusing Ebiru of corruption and of giving a multi-billion deal to a ghost Chinese company. Ebiru was later fired over the bribe (Read Story Here and There).