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The trial of former staff members at Post Bank Uganda Limited accused of abuse of office and causing financial loss amounting to sh292m will resume today (Friday).

The Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court presided over by Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga, will hear the case against former managing director Stephen Mukhweli, executive director of credit and business growth Alex Kayaayo, and head of business growth Fred Samuel Wasike.

Also involved are sales manager Gilbert Nuwamanya, general manager of finance and administration Jackson Mwesigwa, and commissioner Jude Muhereza Kacoobye.

The money in question was alleged to have been paid as a commission under the Social Assistance Grant Empowerment (SAGE) programme. The prosecution alleges that on June 15, 2016, Mukhweli, while employed as the managing director at Post Bank in Kampala district, abused his authority by irregularly approving payment of sh292m to Muhereza.

It is further alleged that on June 14, 2016, Kayaayo, as the executive director of credit and business growth, abused his authority by irregularly forwarding the payment of sh292m to Muhereza as a commission under SAGE.

The prosecution contends that the payees were not entitled to this payment. The accused individuals denied the charges.

The SAGE scheme, initially targeting senior citizens of 65 years and above under the Expanding Social Protection Programme, aimed to enable access to basic services and kickstart income-generating activities. The program was piloted in 20 districts.

Legal implications:

Under Section 11(1) of the Anti-Corruption Court Act, a person found guilty of the offence of abuse of office is liable to seven years imprisonment upon conviction, a fine not exceeding sh1.3 million, or both.

As per Section 20(1) of the Anti-Corruption Court Act, a person convicted of causing financial loss is liable, upon conviction, to a fine not exceeding sh4.8m, a term of imprisonment not exceeding 14 years, or both.

Section 309 of the Penal Code Act stipulates that a person who conspires with another to commit an offence of conspiracy to defraud is liable, upon conviction, to five years imprisonment.