Ex-education ministry chairperson convicted for receiving sh25m bribe

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The Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court is set to sentence former education ministry evaluation committee chairperson today, March 4, 2025, after his conviction for soliciting a sh50m bribe.

On March 3, 2025, Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga convicted Edward Fredrick Lubinga for soliciting a sh50m bribe and receiving sh25m.

The court found that Lubinga solicited sh50m from Robert Nsimbe Zizinga in exchange for conducting due diligence on his company, Synergy Enterprises Ltd, and recommending it for a contract award at the education ministry.

Kajuga stated that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that Lubinga solicited money and received part of the payment.

According to court records, Lubinga, a public officer employed by the education ministry as an architectural assistant and chairperson of the evaluation committee, directly accepted a gratification of sh25m from Zizinga, claiming he would consider his company for a contract. He committed the offences between 2019 and March 2020.

The prosecution, led by chief state attorney Safina Bireke and senior state attorney Nicholas Kawooya from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), asked the court to impose a deterrent sentence, citing the rampant nature of corruption.

Kawooya argued that Lubinga had abused his position of trust as a public officer and chairperson of a committee in the ministry.

"My Lord, these offences are widespread and are eroding public trust in our institutions. We pray for a deterrent sentence," Kawooya submitted.

In mitigation, Lubinga pleaded for a lenient sentence, saying he is the sole breadwinner for his family. He informed the court that he has six school-going children who would suffer in his absence. Additionally, he cares for his ailing mother, who requires constant attention, and argued that a custodial sentence would greatly impact his dependents.