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The principal agricultural officer of Bushenyi District has been charged with illicit enrichment to the tune of over sh1b.

Amon Natwebembera was on Monday, November 13, formally charged with illicit enrichment and presenting fake documents to the Inspectorate of Government (IG) before Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga at the Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court. 

Natwebembera was charged alongside Bushenyi businessman Herbert Gumisiriza before the same court.

It is alleged that while employed as the principal agricultural officer of Bushenyi, Natwebembera acquired property worth sh1b, which is not commensurate with his known income. 

The Inspectorate of Government stated that Natwebembera’s known income between 2016 and 2021 was sh291,155,161. 

It is further alleged that Natwebembera, in August 2022, in Mbarara, with the intent to deceive, presented a fake sale dated April 25, 2016, and April 27 land sale agreement to the investigators, purporting that he sold off his land at plot 18, Folio 3, Volume 514, Rwebishuri road, Kakoba in Mbarara City, whereas not. 

According to court documents, during verification of income, assets, and liabilities conducted by the IG, it is alleged that Natwebembera owns a hotel valued at sh999.7m. 

The Prosecution said Natwebembera's other property was valued at sh30m. It is alleged that his income between 2016 and 2022 was sh378m, and his expenses totaled sh87m in that period. 

"When the Inspectorate inquired why Natwebembera did not declare the said hotel amongst his properties, he denied ownership of the properties and instead introduced Gumisiriza, whom he claimed is the owner of the property," court documents stated. 

Gumisiriza was charged with dealing with suspect property under section 21 a (1), (2) (b) of the Anti-Corruption Court Act. It is alleged that Gumisiriza, between 2016 and 2021 at Mbarara City, entered into a sale agreement with Natwebembera for a piece of land located at plot 18, Folio 3, Volume 514, Rwebishuri Road, Kakoba in Mbarara City to conceal the owner of the property. 

The prosecution said Gumisiriza entered the agreement yet he knew that the property was allegedly acquired through corrupt means. They denied the charges. 

Justice Kajuga fixed the case for hearing starting December 11 and 14, 2023. 

Any person convicted of the offence of illicit enrichment is liable to imprisonment not exceeding ten years in jail or a fine of sh4.8m or both. 

The offence of dealing in suspect property elicits a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment, upon conviction.