Former UPPC accountant charged over sh222m financial loss

KAMPALA - A former accountant at Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation (UPPC) has been charged with causing financial loss amounting to sh222 million.

Aristarco Mujuzi Kasekende was arraigned on June 12, 2025, before the Anti-Corruption Court in Nakasero, presided over by Principal Grade One Magistrate Christopher Opit, and charged with causing financial loss and conspiracy to defraud.

Kasekende is jointly facing the charges with five other former UPPC staff members, finance manager and accountant Christine Mayengo, accountant John Baptist Ahimbisibwe, accounts assistant Catherine Ayebare, legal officer Moreen Nyakato, and business executive Robert Kigoonya.

The magistrate issued criminal summons for the co-accused to appear in court on June 16, 2025, to answer the charges. The summons followed a request by state attorneys Pamela Orogot and Sandra Mutuwa from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

In 2024, Kasekende was charged in a separate case investigated by Inspectorate of Government (IGG) for allegedly causing a financial loss of shillings 658 million to UPPC. The case has been fixed for hearing on July 23, 2025 before Paul Mujuni.

It is alleged that in July 2020, at the Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation (UPPC) head office in Entebbe, Kasekende, Mayengo, Ahimbisibwe, Ayebare, Nyakato, and Kigoonya irregularly authorised the payment of shillings 222 million, purporting it was commission for securing a contract from the Electoral Commission to display the national register for the 2021 General Election when they were well aware that their actions would cause financial loss to the corporation.

On the charge of conspiracy to defraud, the prosecution alleges that the accused conspired to defraud UPPC of shillings 222 million under the pretence that it was commission for securing the same contract from the Electoral Commission.

State attorney Pamela Orogot informed the court that investigations into the matter are still ongoing and requested additional time to allow police to conclude their inquiries.

“Your Worship, inquiries into this matter are still incomplete. I pray that a mention date be set to enable us to update the court on the progress and allow police to conclude their investigations,” Orogot said.

Kasekende was later remanded to Luzira Prison until June 16, 2025, after he failed to produce sureties to stand for him.

The case was adjourned to June 16, 2025, for mention and for Kasekende to apply for bail.