By Edward Anyoli

The Anti-Corruption Court on Friday declined to grant bail to the principal accountant in the Prime Minister’s Office, Geoffrey Kazinda. Chief Magistrate Irene Akankwasa agreed with the prosecution that if Kazinda is granted bail, he will interfere with the on-going investigations and continue to intimidate witnesses.

Kazinda’s lawyer MacDusman Kabega had presented a medical form from Mulago Hospital recommending that Kazinda be treated from home.

Kazinda looked distraught in a fully packed court and kept drinking water as his lawyer pleaded with the magistrate to grant him bail.  Kazinda was charged afresh with forgery, abuse of office and unlawful possession of the Government’s cash book.

State attorney Robert Mackay presented affidavits sworn by the investigating officer David Orne, who stated that Kazinda and his co-accused were threatening witnesses. Akankwasa also rejected Kazinda’s application to have the case referred to the Constitutional Court for interpretation, to determine whether his continued detention without access to medication is in line with the constitution.

It is alleged that Kazinda, between November 2011 and May 2012 at UCB zone in Bukoto, as a government principal accountant, forged the signature of Pius Bigirimana, the Permanent Secretary in the office of the Prime Minister.

In a separate charge, Kazinda and his coaccused Martin Owor the commissioner for relief and disaster preparedness in the Prime Minister’s office, Beatrice Kezabu assistant resettlement officer and Hussein Katumwa station manager of Total Ntinda I Service Station, were charged with embezzlement, false accounting and conspiracy to commit felony.