By vision reporter

An appeal, in which Teddy Sseezi Cheeye is challenging the 10-year jail term he got last year, is set for hearing on April 1 by the Court of Appeal.

On April 8, last year, Justice John Bosco Katutsi, the head of the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court, found Cheeye guilty of misappropriating sh120m from the Global Fund and sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment with an order to refund the money.

However, the former presidential advisor on economic affairs said the penalty was harsh and excessive.

Cheeye allegedly embezzled the money through his NGO, Uganda Centre for Accountability.

The prosecution alleged that he was supposed to use the money to sensitise people on the fight against HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis in the districts of Mbarara, Bushenyi, Rukingiri and Rakai, but did not utilise it for the intended purpose.

The court found Cheeye guilty of embezzlement, forgery and uttering false documents.

He applied and in August, last year, he was released on bail, pending the hearing and determination of his appeal.

The appeal had earlier been scheduled for hearing last November, but stalled.

Cheeye, who is represented by Peter Kabatsi of Kampala Associated Advocates, says that the trial court made several mistakes in convicting him.

He says the judge failed to properly evaluate the evidence and that he also relied on uncorroborated evidence.