Bribery trial of ex-Sembabule chief magistrate, state attorney deferred

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The trial of the former chief magistrate of Sembabule Magistrate’s Court, who is accused of soliciting a bribe of sh2.5 million, has been deferred to April 30, 2026.

On March 16, 2026, the Anti-Corruption Court in Nakasero, presided over by Chief Magistrate Peter Lochomin, adjourned the case after the courtroom designated for displaying electronic evidence in the matter was occupied by another judge handling a different case.

Sylvia Nvanungi, a former chief magistrate, is facing charges of soliciting sh2.5 million alongside Jackline Bako, a state attorney at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

Chief Magistrate Lochomin said the court could not proceed with the hearing because the nature of the evidence requires it to be displayed electronically on a large screen. He added that there was no alternative courtroom available where such evidence could be presented. He subsequently adjourned the case.

“This matter is adjourned to April 30, 2026, for further hearing at 9:00 a.m.,” Lochomin said.

Prosecution’s case

It is alleged that Nvanungi committed the offence while serving as chief magistrate at the Sembabule Chief Magistrate’s Court.

The prosecution, led by chief state attorney Barbara Masinde from the ODPP, alleges that in April 2023, while performing her duties in Masaka city and Sembabule district, Nvanungi solicited a bribe of sh2.5 million from a relative, John Ambasize.

It is alleged that Nvanungi solicited the money in exchange for granting bail to Ambasize, who was on remand. However, the specific charge for which Ambasize was on remand was not mentioned.

Bako is charged with seven counts of corruption involving the solicitation of gratification from several individuals.

It is alleged that on April 12, 2023, while serving as a state attorney at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Bako solicited a gratification of sh2.5 million from Zedekai Karinti at the resident state attorney’s office in Sembabule district in exchange for securing his release on bail.

The prosecution further alleges that on April 12, 2023, while serving as the officer in charge of the Resident State Attorney’s Office in Sembabule, Bako accepted a bribe of sh1.4 million from Franco Mulangwa in exchange for facilitating the granting of bail to Karinti.

Prosecution also alleges that in May 2022, at the same office, Bako solicited sh10 million from Karinti in order to exclude him from charges of attempted murder, criminal trespass and malicious damage to property.

Additionally, Bako is accused of accepting a gratification of sh7 million from Karinti, one of the suspects in an attempted murder case under criminal case number CRB/034/2022, in order to exclude him from the charges.

It is also alleged that during March and April 2023 in Sembabule district, Bako solicited a bribe of sh2 million from a person identified only as Eric Sabiti, one of the accused persons in a separate attempted murder case, in exchange for bail.

The accused denied all the charges and are currently out on bail.

What the law says

Under Section 2 of the Anti-Corruption Act, a person convicted of corruption is liable to a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine not exceeding sh4.8 million, or both.

Upon conviction, the individual is also barred from holding public office for a period of 10 years.