The Assistant Commissioner of Accounts at the Ministry of Finance, Pedson Twesigomwe, has been charged and remanded to Luzira Prison over his alleged role in the fraudulent misallocation of funds intended for debt servicing.
He appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court after being summoned and will remain in custody until March 3, 2024. His defense lawyers, Ronald Oine and Robert Macky, refuted claims that he had been evading authorities, asserting that the state was aware of his residence in Kajjansi Town Council. However, the prosecution argued that he had gone into hiding, necessitating the issuance of criminal summons in newspapers.
Click here to join our WhatsApp Group and Receive Daily News
Twesigomwe is charged with aiding corruption under Sections 2(h) and 26 of the Anti-Corruption Act. He is accused of collaborating with co-conspirators to authorize an irregular payment of $6,134,137.75 to an unauthorized recipient, Roadway Co. Ltd., while falsifying records to suggest the funds had been sent to the International Development Association.
This case is part of a larger financial scandal involving eight other Ministry of Finance officials, which resulted in a loss of Shs 53 billion. The charge sheet outlines two fraudulent transactions: on November 12, $6.134 million intended for the World Bank was instead paid to Roadway Co. Ltd. in Japan and deposited at MFUFG Bank, while on September 28, $8.569 million meant for the African Development Fund was redirected to NJS International in London.
Presiding Magistrate Racheal Nakyazze granted the prosecution six months to collect evidence before proceeding to trial. The case was adjourned to March 4, 2025.
Also Read: Authorities Launch Investigations as Anthrax Kills Two in Kazo
