Ex-Uganda Netball Federation president pretrial delayed
It is alleged that between March 2022 and May 2023, while serving as the president of the Uganda Netball Federation in Kampala, Babirye embezzled shillings 768 million, which belonged to her employer.
Initially, Babirye was charged with fraudulent false accounting on November 30, 2023, but the charges were amended to include embezzlement, forgery and uttering false documents. (New Vision/Files)
Edward Anyoli
Journalist @New Vision
KAMPALA - The pre-trial of the former president of the Uganda Netball Federation, who is facing charges of embezzling sh768m from the Government, has been delayed.
On March 13, 2025, the Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court presided over by Principal Grade One Magistrate Christopher Opit deferred the pre-trial after the defence lawyer informed court that he needed more time.
Lawyer Kassim Kigongo, who is representing Sarah Kityo Babirye, told the court that he had not studied all the documents to be able to handle the issues of pre-trial.
A pre-trial is where the prosecution and defence agree on documents to be used during the main trial. The case was deferred to April 11, 2025.
She faces up to 14 years in jail if convicted of the embezzlement charges under Section 19 of the Anti-Corruption Act.
During court appearance, Chief State Attorney Gloria Inzikuru from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) informed the court that the prosecution was ready for the pre-trial.
Initially, Babirye was charged with fraudulent false accounting on November 30, 2023, but the charges were amended to include embezzlement, forgery and uttering false documents.
The prosecution’s case
It is alleged that between March 2022 and May 2023, while serving as the president of the Uganda Netball Federation in Kampala, she embezzled shillings 768 million, which belonged to her employer.
Regarding the fraudulent false accounting charge, it is alleged that between November and December 2021, while still president of the Uganda Netball Federation, she intentionally falsified an accountability report for shillings 186 million, which had been released by the National Council of Sports to the Federation.
The prosecution alleged Babirye and others still at large in March 2022 at the office of the Federation in Kampala made a fake letter of recommendation to open a bank account by signing in the name Tito Kayigwa without his authority.
Additionally, prosecution alleged that in March 2022 at Equity Bank Mityana branch in Mityana district knowingly and fraudulently uttered a fake letter of recommendation to open a bank account claiming it was signed by Tito Kayigwa. She denied the charges and is currently out on bail.