Assessors to speak on PostBank sh292m fraud case

KAMPALA - Assessors are scheduled to deliver their opinion in a case involving former employees of PostBank Uganda accused of causing a loss of shillings 292 million to the bank.

The Assessors are today (Monday, May 19, 2025) expected to present their opinion to the Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court on whether to convict or acquit former managing director Stephen Mukhweli, along with five other senior officials.

The court, presided over by Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga, is hearing the case involving executive director of credit business growth Alex Kayaayo, head of business growth, Fred Samuel Wasike, sales manager Gilbert Nuwamanya, general manager of finance and administration, Jackson Mwesigwa and commissioner, Jude Muhereza Kacoobye.

Court assessors are non-lawyers who sit alongside a judge to provide their opinions based on their understanding of the case. While their input is considered, the judge may choose to agree or disagree with their opinions.

Prosecution’s case

The prosecution, led by Stanley Baine, alleges that on June 15, 2016, Stephen Mukhweli, then managing director of PostBank in Kampala, abused his office by irregularly authorising a payment of shillings 292 million to Jude Muhereza.

The payment was purportedly made as a commission for securing business for the bank.

It is claimed that on June 14, 2016, Kayaayo, as the executive director of credit and business growth, abused his authority by irregularly authorising the payment of shillings 292 million to Muhereza as a commission under SAGE. Prosecution purports that the payees were not entitled to this payment.

The accused denied the charges, and they are out on bail.

The SAGE scheme initially targeted senior citizens of 65 years and above under the Expanding Social Protection Programme, aiming to facilitate access to basic services and initiate income-generating activities, piloted in 20 districts.

What the law says

Under Section 11(1) of the Anti-Corruption Court Act, a person found guilty of the offence of abuse of office faces seven years' imprisonment upon conviction, a fine not exceeding shillings 1.3 million, or both. As per Section 20(1) of the same act, a person convicted of causing financial loss is liable to a fine not exceeding shillings 4.8 million, a term of imprisonment not exceeding 14 years, or both.

The offence of conspiracy to defraud under Section 309 of the Penal Code carries five years’ imprisonment upon conviction.