Six senior officials from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) have been charged with corruption, abuse of office, and causing financial loss before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala.

They are Godfrey Kaima, 50, the Under Secretary and Accounting Officer, Cyprian Dhikusooka, 49, the Principal Disaster Management Officer, and Kizito Mugerwa, 41, the procurement officer.

Others are Rose Nakabugo, 50, the acting commissioner of disaster preparedness and management, Daudi Bukomooko, 47, the principal assistant secretary and Martin Odongo, 43, the disaster management officer, who did not turn up in court.

Meanwhile, Kaima, Dhikusooka and Mugerwa appeared before Chief Magistrate Joan Aciro and denied the charges while their co-accused did not turn up in court.

This prompted the magistrate to issue criminal summons against Nakabugo, Bukomooko and Odongo.

The trio were later each released on a cash bail of sh50m but Kayima and Dhikusooka paid the money while Mugerwa failed and he was taken to Kitalya Prison.

“Investigations into the matter are still ongoing. I pray court adjourns the matter to another date for mention,” State Attorney, David Mugamba, revealed.

Allegations

Prosecution alleges that Kaima in June 2021, at the OPM offices, without a written contract and clearance from the Solicitor General, irregularly made payment worth sh668m for blankets and tarpaulins in favour of Emax Supplies and Logistics Ltd and Construction and Supply Ltd, respectively.

Kaima is also accused of failure to deduct withholding tax amounting to sh164m while making payments for blankets, mosquito nets and tarpaulins to Emax supplies and logistics, Canaan supply and Construction and Double Way General supplies respectively.

Prosecution further alleges that in May 2021, at the OPM offices, Dhikusooka, Mugerwa and Odongo, did an arbitrary act, prejudicial to the interests of their employer, when they reported that Canaan Supply and Construction Ltd complied with submission of documents for their eligibility whereas no documents were filed to that effect for the procurement of tarpaulins, contrary to the PPDA laws and regulations.

(R-L) Godfrey Kayima , Cyprian Dikusooka and Mugerwa Kizito standing in the dock as charges of corruption and abuse of office were being read out at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala on October 5, 2021

It is also alleged that Dhikusooka and Nakabugo while making requisition for procurement of blankets, mosquito nets and tarpaulins neglected to provide clear statement of requirements with specifications as required under the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA).

In regard to causing financial loss, prosecution alleges that between May and June 2021, Dhikusooka failed to effectively supervise the contract resulting in the supply of substandard items hence causing financial loss to the government amounting to sh298m, sh369m and sh112m respectively.

(R-L) Cyprian Dikusooka, Godfrey Kayima and Mugerwa Kizito standing in the dock as charges of corruption and abuse of office were being read out at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala on October 5, 2021.

The case has been adjourned to November 8, 2021, for mention.