The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has remanded the nine officials from the Ministry of Finance. The near dozen has been charged with 11 counts, including money laundering, electronic fraud, causing financial loss, abuse of office, and corruption, regarding their involvement in the Shs60 billion central bank money theft.
This development marks a dramatic turn in a case that had initially drawn little action from authorities despite the Bank of Uganda acknowledging the fraud.
The prosecution told the court that the official, Ssemakula, along with Paul Lumala, Jennifer Muhulizi, Mubarak Nsamba, Mark Kasuku, Tony Yawe, Deborah Kusiima, Betinah Nayebare, and Judith Ashaba, diverted funds meant for debt repayments to the World Bank and African Development Fund into accounts in the UK and Japan.
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Court documents show that a $6.134 million debt servicing repayment to the World Bank was instead sent to Roadway Company in Japan, with the money landing in an account at MFUFG Bank on November 12.
Similarly, $8.569 million intended for the African Development Bank was paid to NJS International in London on September 28.
Prosecutors sought a criminal summons for Pedison Twesigomwe, the third accused, arguing he had deliberately evaded appearing before court.
The court also heard that Ssemakula and Muhulizi neglected their duty to safeguard public funds, while Yawe manipulated the system to divert $6 million meant for the African Development Bank.
Other suspects, including Twesigomwe, Kusiima, and Nkalubo, were accused of concealing the fraudulent payment to Roadway, an act that the prosecution said amounted to corruption and money laundering.
Investigators have yet to conclude their inquiries, prompting the prosecution to seek an adjournment.
On its part, the defense team, led by lawyers Peter Kabatsi and Bruce Musinguzi, protested that they had not been provided with a summary of charges before plea-taking and requested bail for their clients.
However, Magistrate Nakyazze ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction over money laundering charges, which are capital offenses tried by the High Court.
The defense on questioning why suspects not charged with money laundering could not take plea was countered by prosecution, which maintained that the highest jurisdiction offense took precedence.
The presiding magistrate, Ms. Nakyazze, remanded all the accused until February 18, when the case will return for mention.
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