Clearing firm manager to face sh200m theft trial in absentia

A manager at Saltrans Limited clearing and forwarding firm, who is accused of embezzling sh200m from the company, is to be tried in absentia after the Anti-Corruption Court approved an application by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

Chief State Attorney Nelly Asiku from the ODPP told court that several efforts had been made to arrest Nilshil Halai, a former operations manager at Saltrans Limited, but they had not yielded results.

The court had issued several arrest warrants against Halai since April 22, 2025, but he had not been arrested.

“In the interest of justice, we pray that this case proceeds in the absence of the accused person since he has not been arrested,” Asiku told court.

As a result, On October 12, 2026, Chief Magistrate Peter Lochomin granted the prosecution’s request to have proceedings against Halai continue in his absence.

Halai is accused of embezzling sh200m from Saltrans Limited. 

The offence of embezzlement carries 14 years imprisonment or a fine not exceeding sh4.8m or both. In addition, a person convicted of this offence is barred from holding public office for 10 years.

Prosecution led by Asiku alleges that Halai between September and December 2022, at the office of Saltrans Limited at the Sixth Street in Industrial Area in Nakawa Division, Kampala, allegedly stole money belonging to the company by the virtue of his office as the manager.

It is further alleged Halai committed the offence in his capacity while he was employed as the operations manager of the company. At the time the accused skipped trial, one witness had testified against him.