Katosi Scam: Byandala trial resumes

PIC: Ex-works and transport minister Abraham Byandala is seen here chatting with with lawyer Mubiru Nsubuga at the Anti-Corruption Court ON February 6, 2017. (Credit: Lawrence Mulondo)

KAMPALA - Hearing of a case in which seven people including former works minister Abraham Byandala are accused of causing financial loss of over sh24.7b to government resumes today at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala.

The money was meant for the upgrade of the Mukono-Katosi road from gravel to bitumen standard.

So far, 20 witnesses have testified against the accused persons before court presided over by High Court Judge Lawrence Gidudu.

Byandala, 65, was charged alongside four former Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) officials: Berunado Ssebbugga, 54, (former acting executive director), Joe Ssemugooma, 54, (acting director finance and administration), Marvin Baryaruha, 45, (legal counsel) and Wilberforce Senjako (regional accountant).

Others are city businessman Apolo Senkeeto, 45, and a former Housing Finance Bank official, Isaac Mugote.

According to prosecution, Byandala disobeyed the directives of the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) in a letter dated August 27, 2014, when he confirmed that CICCO received sh12b and started mobilizing equipment quickly on behalf of Eutaw.

Prosecution alleges that Byandala influenced the procurement process that led to the award of tender and signing of a contract between Eutaw and UNRA contrary to the principles and procedures of procurement in UNRA.

It is further alleged that Senkeeto uttered a false KCB bid guarantee for sh1.9b in support of a bid for procurement of the road upgrade.

He allegedly obtained execution of performance bond of sh16.5b from the Insurance Company of East Africa and UAP insurance company by misrepresenting to them that it was guaranteeing a pending payment for the road.

Meanwhile, UNRA officials were accused by the IGG of effecting payment of sh24.7b to Eutaw without establishing its authenticity.