Finance ministry official, others charged with sh1.5b loss

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Three government officials including one from the finance ministry have been charged with causing a financial loss of over shillings 1.5 billion to the Government in a pension scam.

Finance ministry senior accountant John Wabwire, principal human resource officer Rebecca Kwagala and Godfrey Mutome, the Chief Finance Officer of Kaliro district, are facing charges under the Anti-Corruption Act.

The charges relate to the irregular initiation, processing and approval of fictitious gratuity and pension payments to retired staff of Kaliro district. They have denied the charges.

The offence of causing financial loss attracts a maximum sentence of 14 years’ imprisonment, on conviction.

On January 24, 2025, the Anti-Corruption Court presided over by grade one magistrate Esther Asiimwe granted the accused bail, after finding their sureties substantial.

“The sureties are substantial to ensure the accused appear in court whenever required," the magistrate ruled.

The court released Kwagala and Mutome on a cash bail of shillings three million each, with each of their sureties directed to execute a non-cash bond of shillings 250 million. Meanwhile, Wabwire was granted a cash bail of shillings 25 million.

They are expected to appear in court on April 1, 2025, for pre-trial conferencing.

The Inspectorate of Government is being represented by Dr. Ernest Katwesigye, Supervisor Prosecutions and William Ntumwa, Inspectorate Officer.

Allegations

The prosecution alleges that the accused between July 1, 2019, and June 30, 2022, in Kaliro district local government, being employed as principal human resource officer, accountant, and chief finance officer, respectively, irregularly initiated, processed, and approved, fictitious gratuity and pension payments amounting to shillings 111.7 million, to various persons, knowing or having reason to believe that their actions would cause financial loss to the Government.

It is also purported that the trio initiated and approved fictitious gratuity and pension payments amounting to shillings 314 million, to various persons, knowing or having reason to believe that their actions would cause financial loss to the Government.

On the third count, Kwagala and Wabwire, are accused of irregularly initiating and processing fictitious gratuity and pension payments amounting to shillings 27.9 million to one Geofrey Ikoona Mudooka between July 1, 2019, and June 30, 2020.

Prosecution also alleges that Wabwire and Mutome, in the same period, irregularly initiated and approved fictitious gratuity and pension payments amounting to shillings 207.6 million to various persons, causing loss to the government.

On count five, Wabwire is accused of irregularly initiated fictitious gratuity and pension payments amounting to shillings 607.7 million to various persons, causing loss to the government.

Meanwhile, Wabwire is purported to have irregularly initiated fictitious gratuity and pension payments amounting to shillings 275 million to various persons, causing loss to the government.