The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has asked the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala to issue a warrant of arrest against two lawyers who are accused of in swindling billions of money meant for Busoga Growers Cooperative Union.
The two; John Matovu, 62, and Fred Makada 55 are accused alongside Jinja District Commercial Officer James Muganza and Charles Basoga, the Chairperson of Busoga Growers Cooperative Union who were earlier remanded to Luzira Prison by Acting Senior Principal Grade One Magistrate Abert Asiimwe.
The warrant for their arrest was sought by State Attorney Stanley Baine on grounds that although they had been summoned to appear before the court, the two lawyers have remained defiant.
However, Lawyers Joel Israel Kindadaire and Rosemary Birungi told the court that Matovu was indisposed and prayed for more time for him to appear.
Brian Sserunjoji, made a similar plea for Makada, albeit without reasons for his absence. However, the State Attorney insisted that all information given to the Court is submitted from the bar without evidence to show that either of the accused persons is bedridden.
In his ruling, Asiimwe extended criminal summons against the two lawyers but added that he will be compelled to issue a warrant of arrest next time, should they fail to present themselves before the Court. He said that disregarding court orders is offensive for a senior Counsel.
“When you appear on a charge sheet, make sure you negotiate with whoever you want to negotiate with when it is still early. It’s very bad for a senior Counsel to disobey the court like the state has said. Do you believe in your application that he shouldn’t appear here? Let’s not argue the application. But if you are summoned by the court, you are supposed to appear,” Asiimwe said. He adjourned the matter until August 12, 2024.
The prosecution alleges that while employed as the Chairperson of Busoga Growers Union between 2018 and 2023 in Jinja District, Basoga received 569.5 million Shillings for war loss compensation. but put the money to personal use.
It is also alleged that while employed as a District Commercial Officer, Muganza, in abuse of authority of his employer received 250 million Shillings of the said money, while Matovu and Makada reportedly took four billion, fifty-one million and five hundred thousand and 1.2 billion Shillings respectively.
This is the second file of suspects being brought to the Anti-corruption court for charges related to the theft of multi-billions of cooperative cash.
The first group involves three MPs; Michael Mawanda, Mudimi Womakuyu, and Paul Akamba, a lawyer, Permanent Secretary Geraldine Ssali, and a trade official who have been on remand for nearly a month and were last week committed to the High Court to face trial.
They are jointly charged with Leonard Kavundira, a Principal Cooperative Officer in the Ministry of Trade, and city lawyer, Julius Kirya Taitankoko.
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