Five accused persons who include three Members of Parliament, we’re on Friday charged at the Anti-Corruption Court and remanded in a major corruption scandal involving the diversion of public resources in Uganda.
The MPs charged include Hon. Mawanda Michael Maranga, Hon. Wamakuyu Ignatius Mudimi and Hon. Akamba Paul. Other persons charged are Kirya Julius Taitankoko a Law advocate and Kavundira Leonard the Principal Cooperative Officer in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives.
The accused persons are charged with misappropriating funds intended for war loss compensation to Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society Limited for their own personal benefit.
The charge sheet filed in court indicates that Hon. Mawanda Michael Maranga, allegedly converted public funds amounting to UGX 1,050,000,000= in October 2021 for purposes unrelated to that for which the resources were intended, to wit; war loss compensation by the Government of Uganda to Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society Limited for his own benefit.
On the other hand, Hon. Wamakuyu Ignatius Mudimi, allegedly converted public funds amounting to UGX 2,398,714,611= between the months of October 2021 and June 2023 for purposes unrelated to that for which the resources were intended, to wit; war loss compensation by the Government of Uganda to Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society Limited for his own benefit.
And Hon. Akamba Paul, allegedly converted public funds amounting to UGX 200,000,000/= between the months of May 2023 and June 2023 for purposes unrelated to that for which the resources were intended, to wit; war loss compensation by the Government of Uganda to Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society Limited for his own benefit.
Kirya Julius Taitankoko, a Law advocate is also charged with transferring public funds amounting to 2,228,714,611= for purposes unrelated to that for which the resources were intended, to wit; war loss compensation by the Government of Uganda to Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society Limited for his own benefit.
All the captioned persons are however jointly charged on a separate count of offence with Kavundira Leonard for conspiring to defraud the Government of Uganda between 2019 and 2023 of 3,448,714,611= which was intended for the war loss compensation to Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society Limited.
The accused pers ons pleaded not guilty and they were remanded until July 9, 2024.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions was represented by Edward Muhumuza, a Chief State Attorney.
Courtesy: ODPP, SHACU