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The former Uganda Railways Corporation managing director, Stanley Sendegeya, who is accused of using fake academic documents to secure the position, has been released on bail.

On Monday, Buganda Road Court Grade One Magistrate Siena Owomugisha released Sendegeya on a cash bail of sh1m after finding his sureties substantial.

"The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty," the magistrate noted.

The sureties, who included his wife Maureen Kizito, son Emmanuel Kiyingi, and mother-in-law Justine Musisi, were each directed to execute noncash bail of sh10m.

Sendegeya is battling charges of forgery, uttering false documents, and giving false information. He pleaded not guilty to the offences.

The offences attract maximum sentences of three years imprisonment, upon conviction.

According to court documents, Sendegeya is a resident of Jjanda Village, Namugongo in Wakiso district.

The State Attorney from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Juliet Nyamwiza, informed the court that investigations into the matter are incomplete.

Allegations

The prosecution alleges that in July 2020, at Deloitte Uganda Limited offices at plot 1 Lumba Avenue in Kampala City, the accused gave information (a curriculum Vitae) to URC, which he knew to be false, showing that he had the requisite academic qualification for the position of managing director, which he ought not to have done if the true state of facts in respect to his academic qualification was known to URC.

It is further alleged that in the same month, at Deloitte Uganda Limited offices at Plot 1 Lumumba Avenue in Kampala City with intent to deceive, the accused made a false document (a curriculum vitae), purporting that he held a master’s Degree in Business Administration, whereas not.

Court documents further indicate that during the said month and date at Deloitte Uganda Limited offices, the accused knowingly and fraudulently uttered a false document, to URC through Deloitte Uganda Limited, purporting that he held a master’s Degree in Business Administration, whereas not.

Background

Last year, President Yoweri Museveni directed the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) to investigate allegations of corruption at URC.

The allegations included the purchase of 4 used locomotives at sh48b, recruitment of unqualified staff, and sale of URC land including that in the Lira district.

In October, last year, four people including Francis Ateng, the former Principal Assistant Secretary at the Ministry of Lands Zonal Office in Lira District, were charged before Lira Court, with fraudulent procurement of a certificate of title, forgery and uttering a false document on Uganda Railways Corporation land in Lira.

This followed complaints that Sendegeya was irregularly recruited as URC managing director as a result of influence by a board member.

A source from the SHACU said some people complained that Sendegeya’s appointment had been influenced because he was not among the shortlisted candidates.

URC had contacted Deloitte Uganda Limited, a recruitment firm, and gave it requirements for the position of managing director including a master’s degree.

“Several candidates were shortlisted by Deloitte but Sendegeya was not among those in the list. However, don’t know how he was appointed to the position of URC managing director,” the source said.

This prompted the sacking of Sendegeya from the position of URC managing director last year.


In November 2021, the Uganda Railways Workers’ Union also asked Parliament to inquire into allegations of mismanagement of URC by its leadership, whom they accused of causing financial losses.

While appearing before Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), the workers said URC procured four locomotives worth sh48b that have been rendered useless because they are not suited to Uganda’s railway line.

The Union also informed MPs that URC had lost several properties to private individuals such as land in Nalukolongo and Port Bell, Luzira.

This magistrate adjourned the matter to November 27, 2023, for the hearing of the bail application of the accused.