IGG asks court to dismiss appeal by convicted Kabale Municipal officials
Nabirye argued that the trial magistrate did not err in convicting the duo and that the sentence handed to them was lawful and appropriate, given the evidence presented in court.
Ahimbisibwe and Asiimwe were convicted on 18 March 2024 by then-presiding magistrate Joan Aciro on charges of causing financial loss, abuse of office, and false accounting. (File photo)
By Edward Anyoli
Journalists @New Vision
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The Inspectorate of Government (IGG) has asked the Anti-Corruption Court to dismiss an appeal filed by a former town clerk and treasurer who were convicted of causing a financial loss of sh24 million to Kabale Municipal Council.
On July 31, 2025, Inspectorate officer Sylvia Nabirye from the Inspectorate of Government appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court, presided over by Justice David Makumbi, and urged the court to uphold the conviction and sentence of former town clerk Christopher Ahimbisibwe and treasurer Godwin Asiimwe.
Nabirye argued that the trial magistrate did not err in convicting the duo and that the sentence handed to them was lawful and appropriate, given the evidence presented in court.
Ahimbisibwe and Asiimwe were convicted on 18 March 2024 by then-presiding magistrate Joan Aciro on charges of causing financial loss, abuse of office, and false accounting. They were subsequently ordered to refund the misappropriated sh24 million.
Nabirye stated that the money was spent on activities unrelated to the approved work plans and that no accountability was provided.
She added that the payments were fictitious, resulting in financial loss to the government.
“The fact that the Auditor General did not point out the loss does not mean there was no loss. All the payments are directly attributable to the convicts,” Nabirye told court.
However, through their lawyer Lawrence Banada, the duo appealed the conviction, arguing that the trial magistrate erred by convicting them on charges that were not consented to by the Inspectorate of Government.
Banada further submitted that no audit report was presented during the trial to prove that any funds had been stolen.
“The key witness confirmed that the money was regularly paid and properly accounted for. There was no evidence to prove that Kabale Municipal Council incurred any loss. The trial court failed to properly evaluate the evidence on record and, as a result, reached the wrong conclusion,” Banada said.
Banada urged the court to find that no financial loss occurred and to acquit the accused.