Former Woman MP remanded over illegal animal market

NWOYA - Former Buvuma Woman Member of Parliament (MP) Janephar Egunyu Nantume has been charged and remanded to Luzira Prison over allegations of operating an illegal animal market in Lungulu sub-county, Nwoya district.

Nantume, 47, who is currently the Nwoya district chief administrative officer, was remanded together with Fred Kalisa, 49, a farmer and resident of Gotokwara village in Lungulu sub-county, Nwoya district.

Also charged is Ronald Wanda, 42, a businessman based in Kiyindi, Buikwe district. The court issued a criminal summons against him after he failed to appear in court to answer charges of theft.

Nantume is facing charges of abuse of office, contrary to Section 10 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act, while Kalisa and Wanda are accused of stealing shillings 20.7 million while managing the illegal market.

The offence of abuse of office elicits a seven-year jail term upon conviction, while theft under the Penal Code Act attracts a maximum sentence of three years' imprisonment.
Nantume and Kalisa appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court presided over by Chief Magistrate Peter Fred Lochomin and denied the charges.

“It is not true my lord. There is no market in that place,” Nantume said, prompting the magistrate to enter a plea of not guilty against her.

Prosecutors Mikka Luteete and Diana Nantabaazi from the Inspectorate of Government (IG) informed the court that investigations into the matter are nearing completion.
“In the circumstances, we are praying for a mention date, when the state will re-appear in court and give the status of investigations in the matter,” Luteete said.

The defence lawyers, led by David Amanya, asked the court to grant bail to the accused persons, but the magistrate said he had an engagement.

Counsel Amanya was assisted by lawyers Emma Onyango and Judith Arinaitwe.
“I had an engagement, but because the accused had already been produced in court, I had to come and read the charges to them,” the magistrate said.

Nantume pleaded for her release on bail, explaining that, as an accounting officer, she was needed during the period when district officials’ salaries are being processed. The magistrate declined her request, citing his earlier engagement.

On his part, Kalisa told the court that he had been involved in an accident, but the magistrate said that such matters constitute antecedents to be presented during the formal hearing of the bail application.

The accused will return to the court today (May 4) for the hearing of the bail application.

Allegations

The IG prosecutors alleged that Nantume abused her authority by disregarding established procedures for setting up animal markets and authorised the operation of an illegal market in Gotokwara village, Lungulu subcounty. The IG states that the actions were reportedly prejudicial to the interests of the district.

According to the IG, Nantume allegedly committed the offences between January 2023 and December 2024 while serving as CAO of Nwoya District Local Government.

The IG further alleges that Kalisa and Wanda, during the same period, managed the said animal market and fraudulently obtained sh20.6m belonging to Nwoya District Local Government.

Animal market

Setting up an animal market (livestock market/holding ground) in Uganda involves adhering to guidelines from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), local government, and environmental authorities.

The process requires a multi-stakeholder approach to ensure compliance with disease control and trading regulations.