UVRI IN FAMILY CAPTURE STORM! Kaleebu Accused of Handpicking Successor as Investigation Exposes Failures at Virus Institute
A brewing storm is shaking the foundations of Uganda Virus Research Institute, with explosive allegations of nepotism, internal decay and systemic failures casting a long shadow over the tenure of its long-serving director Pontiano Kaleebu as he prepares to exit office this June.
What should have been a celebrated transition is instead turning into a bitter controversy, with insiders claiming that the outgoing boss is quietly grooming his relative, Deogratius Ssemwanga, to take over the powerful position—raising eyebrows and igniting outrage within scientific and political circles.
Sources inside the institute allege that the succession plan is already in motion. “He is nurturing his own,” one insider whispered to RedPepper. “The process is being managed from within, and many feel it is already decided.”
But even as the succession drama unfolds, a damning Auditor General’s 2025 report has exposed deep-rooted operational weaknesses that critics say reflect years of poor management and lack of accountability.
At the core of the findings is a procurement system in disarray. The institute failed to reserve procurement opportunities for women, youth and persons with disabilities as required by law, effectively locking out these groups. “No contracts were awarded to the registered associations,” the report reveals, in direct violation of PPDA regulations.
Even more troubling, routine purchases such as laboratory consumables and equipment maintenance worth UGX 118 million were handled through fragmented individual procurements instead of structured framework arrangements. This, auditors noted, was contrary to established guidelines and pointed to inefficiency in resource utilisation.
Inside the Procurement and Disposal Unit, the situation is equally grim. The unit reportedly operates without a budget for essential functions like capacity building, market surveys and contract monitoring—crippling its ability to function effectively.
“This hampers the PDU’s effectiveness,” the report states, painting a picture of an institution where even basic systems are struggling to operate.
The cracks extend beyond procurement into asset management and planning. Obsolete equipment recommended for disposal was never included in the disposal plan, while the institute’s strategic plan was underfunded by a staggering 69 percent, severely affecting implementation of key activities.
Performance indicators tell an equally worrying story. Compliance with national development planning stood at just 61 percent, according to the National Planning Authority, while several planned outputs were either partially implemented or not implemented at all.
Out of ten assessed outputs worth nearly UGX 4 billion, only four were fully delivered. Three were partially implemented, while others simply did not happen. Delays in submitting performance reports—ranging between 16 and 34 days—further highlight weak accountability mechanisms.
The institute, auditors say, lacks a structured system to track progress and inform decision-making, leaving management effectively operating in the dark.
Meanwhile, land management at UVRI is raising red flags. Auditors flagged anomalies including lack of ownership titles and irregular sale of institute land—an issue that could have long-term implications for public assets.
A visit to staff housing in Soweto, Entebbe, revealed deteriorating conditions, with poorly maintained structures and asbestos roofing—despite the material being banned—still in use.
But perhaps the most crippling issue is human resource capacity.
Out of an approved structure of 212 positions, only 44 are filled, leaving a massive 168 vacancies. This means the institute is operating with just over 20 percent of its required workforce—an alarming gap that insiders say has severely crippled research and innovation.
And it is here that the nepotism allegations bite hardest.
Sources claim that key research programs are dominated by individuals linked to the Executive Director, creating what some describe as an “untouchable inner circle.
The situation is further complicated by claims that several program heads are part-time, juggling responsibilities with the Medical Research Council, leaving little time to focus on UVRI’s core mandate.
“This has killed productivity,” a source said bluntly. “Research and innovation are suffering because the people in charge are not fully present.”
The controversy deepens with allegations that Dr. Ssemwanga himself rose through the ranks via accelerated promotion, backed by the Executive Director. Since assuming his current role, he has frequently represented the institute before Parliament—fueling speculation that he is being positioned as the natural successor.
The unfolding drama has not escaped the attention of lawmakers. Members of Parliament sitting on the Parliamentary Health Committee have already raised serious concerns about the institute’s performance, questioning the impact of its research and its heavy reliance on donor funding, including support from the European Union.
Legislators last year demanded answers on why the institute has struggled to effectively disseminate its research findings and urged management to explore commercialization opportunities, taking inspiration from other institutions like NARO.
In his appearance before the committee, Dr. Ssemwanga admitted the challenges facing the institute but assured legislators that improvements were underway.
Yet for many observers, the problems run far deeper.
With procurement flaws, staffing shortages, asset mismanagement, and allegations of nepotism swirling at the same time, the picture emerging at UVRI is one of an institution under strain—where leadership decisions, rather than strengthening the system, may be entrenching its weaknesses.
As Prof. Kaleebu prepares to exit, the big question remains: will the institute break free from the controversies dogging it, or will the same system simply reproduce itself under new leadership?
For now, insiders say the battle for the soul of Uganda’s premier virus research institute is far from over.
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