Driver charged with possession of used electronics freed on bail
Oct 31, 2024
On October 30, 2024, the Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court, presided over by Acting Chief Magistrate Albert Asiimwe, granted Abdul Ssekubwa cash bail of shillings five million.
Abudul Ssekubwa, a 43-year-old Ugandan driver at Busia Boarder before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala battling counts including possession of prohibited goods, possession of uncustomed goods and conveyance of prohibited and uncustomed goods. This was on October 23, 2024. (Credit: Lawrence Mulondo)
Edward Anyoli
Journalist @New Vision
KAMPALA - A driver charged with the illegal possession of refurbished computers, tablets, phones, and other electronics valued at shillings, valued at 208 million, has been released on bail.
On October 30, 2024, the Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court, presided over by Acting Chief Magistrate Albert Asiimwe, granted Abdul Ssekubwa cash bail of shillings five million.
Asiimwe released Ssekubwa after he presented sureties deemed substantial and met all legal requirements for bail.
John Wandera, the lawyer representing Ssekubwa, assured the court that his client would comply with all conditions set by the court.
Ssekubwa, 43, a resident of Namawobe A, Busia town, was charged with two counts of possession of prohibited goods, contrary to Section 200(d)(i) of the East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004 last week before the same court.
The prosecution, led by acting manager of prosecution Stuart Aheebwa, alleged that on October 15, 2024, Abdul Ssekubwa was found in possession of prohibited goods along the Mbale-Soroti road.
The goods included 45 used laptops with a dutiable value of shillings 12 million.
The prosecution said Ssekubwa was found in possession of 4,072 phone screens, 151 used smartphones, 50 new smartphones, 24 new tablet screens, 6 new tablets, 675 screen guards, 16 new laptops, 55 laptop spare parts, 1,890 phone engines, 360 Type-C phone chargers, 350 phone card readers, 500 phone charging ports, among other items, all valued at shillings 195 million.
According to the court records, it is alleged that Ssekubwa, while in charge of motor vehicle number UAL 582F, a Toyota Prado TX, allegedly used it to transport uncustomed goods. He denied the charges.
Prosecutor Stuart Aheebwa informed the court that investigations are still ongoing and requested more time to allow the police to conclude inquiries. The case was adjourned to December 16, 2024, for mention.