Col. Bantariza remanded over fraud

By Andrew Ssenyonga & Mackline Katusiime

Government Spokesperon Col. Shaban Bantariza was Tuesday sent on remand to Makindye Military prison over fraud.

Bantariza, a former army spokesperson and also National Leadership Institute (NALI) boss, appeared before the General Court Martial chaired by Brig. Moses Ddiba Ssentongo.

He was charged on three counts of fraud that include fraudulent offences, offences relating to documents and conspiracy to defraud.

Prosecution alleges that on February 3, 2011 at Akamba Uganda Ltd, Plot 12 Old Port Bell Road in Kampala district, being the director of NALI, he received a tractor with an ITMCO type of registration number UAN 652Z and its accessories donated to NALI by the ministry of finance.

He instead purported to have purchased the said tractor at sh67m. He was arrested on Monday July 1, 2013 from his home in Bweyogerere, Wakiso district.

Bantariza was recently appointed Uganda Media Centre deputy Executive Director, with Ofwono Opondo as director.