Mitooma chief magistrate, state attorney corruption trial resumes

KAMPALA - The trial of the chief magistrate of Mitooma Magistrate’s Court, who is accused of soliciting a bribe of shillings 2.5 million, resumes today (July 14, 2025).

Sylvia Nvanungi is set to appear before the Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala for the hearing of her case presided over Chief Magistrate Rachael Nakyaxzze.

Nvanungi is facing the charges alongside Jackline Bako, a state attorney at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

It is alleged that Nvanungi committed the offence while serving as chief magistrate at the Sembabule Chief Magistrate’s Court.

The prosecution, led by chief state attorney Barbara Masinde from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, alleges that in April 2023, while performing her duties in Masaka city and Sembabule district, Nvanungi solicited a bribe of shillings 2.5 million from a relative, John Ambasize.

It is alleged that Nvanungi solicited the money in exchange for granting bail to Ambasize, who was on remand.

Bako has been charged with seven counts of corruption, involving the solicitation of gratification from various individuals.

It is alleged that on April 12, 2023, while serving as a state attorney at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Bako solicited a gratification of shillings 2.5 million from Zedekai Karinti at the resident state attorney’s office in Sembabule district, in exchange for securing his release on bail.

Karinti has been summoned to appear in court, however, the specific offence for which he was summoned has not been disclosed.

In another count, it is alleged that on April 12, 2023, while serving as the officer in charge of the resident state attorney’s office in Sembabule, Bako accepted a bribe of shillings 1.4 million from Franco Mulangwa in exchange for granting bail to Zedekai Karinti.

Prosecution further alleges that in May 2022, at the same office, Bako solicited shillings 10 million from Karinti to exclude him from charges of attempted murder, criminal trespass and malicious property damage.

Additionally, Bako is accused of accepting a gratification of shillings seven million from Karinti, one of the suspects in an attempted murder case under criminal case number CRB/034/2022, to exclude him from the charges.

It is also alleged that during March and April 2023, in Sembabule district, Bako solicited a bribe of shillings two million from a person identified only as Eric Sabiti, one of the accused persons in a separate attempted murder case, in exchange for bail. The accused denied all the charges and are out on bail.

DPP warns staff against corruption

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Jane Frances Abodo has consistently warned her staff against engaging in corruption. She emphasised that there is no justification for any employee of the Office of the DPP to indulge in corruption.

What the law says

Under Section 2 of the Anti-Corruption Act, a person convicted of corruption is liable to a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine not exceeding shillings 4.8 million, or both.