BoU sh60b heist: Asst Commissioner Accounts seeks bail

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Pedson Twesigomwe, the interdicted Assistant Commissioner of Accounts in Uganda's finance ministry charged in the sh60b Bank of Uganda (BoU) heist case, has applied for bail.

Through his lawyers, he told the Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court presided over by Justice Lawrence Gidudu that he has no intention of absconding.

Lawyers Ronald Oine and Mackay Robert who appeared alongside David Kaggwa, Christine Atukwase, and Norin Aceng said Twesigomwe has substantial sureties who will ensure his appearance in court whenever he is required.

“My lord, the applicant before you is still presumed innocent, he has a permanent place of abode and substantial sureties and he will not abscond his trial,” appealed Oine.

Twesigomwe presented MPs Roland Ndyomugenyi (Rukiga County) and Moses Kamuntu (Rubanda West), and Davis Barugahare, an accountant at the finance ministry, as his sureties.

“We pray that you find these three sureties presented before you substantial and admit the applicant on bail pending his trial,” added Oine.

However, Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka and Senior State Attorney Nam Terpista from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) opposed the application, arguing that Twesigomwe is likely to jump bail.

Birivumbuka submitted that the accused appeared in court through criminal summons after Police failed to trace him.

Regarding the three sureties that Twesigomwe presented, Birivumbuka stated that they do not have the capacity to meet the bond terms because they did not demonstrate that they have additional income.  

Twesigomwe is facing the charges alongside;

▪️ Accountant General Lawrence Ssemakula, 58

▪️ Jennifer Muhuruzi, 55 (commissioner treasury services) 

▪️ Tony Yawe,46, (senior IT officer)

▪️ Paul Nkalubo Lumala, 40 (IT systems officer)

▪️ Deborah Dorothy Kusiima, 33 (senior accountant)

▪️ Judith Ashaba, 43 (accountant)

▪️ Bettina Nayebare, 31 (research assistant accountant)

▪️ Mark Kasiiku, 33 (IT specialist)

Semakula, Muhuruzi, Lumala, Kusiima, Ashaba and Nayebare were released on bail on Monday (March 3). 

Yawe and Kasiiku were denied bail because they did not present securities that court could rely on to grant bail.