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The former executive director of Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Godfrey Turyahikayo has been arraigned at the Anti-Corruption Court over allegedly causing financial loss of sh403m to the government.

Grade One Magistrate Christopher Opit presided over the session on Tuesday, February 20.

Turyahikayo is facing the charges together with other former employees; principal account Geoffrey Kasozi, internal auditor Annette Alitusubira, senior accountant Diana Balihikya and assistant accountant Claire Kyomuhendo.

It is alleged that the accused persons between June 14 and 16, 2016, at REA, irregularly processed payment of shillings 403,911,700 to individual REA staff bank accounts purporting to be compensation for persons affected by power lines under the ERT II project, whereas not.

According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly committed the offences knowing that it would cause a financial loss to the government.

The accused are battling charges of causing financial loss, contrary to section 20 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act and embezzlement, contrary to section 19, of the same Act.

Both offences attract a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment, on conviction.

The charges were slapped on the accused by the Police and consented to by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Jane Frances Abodo.