Probe into sh14b case against ex-Mulago ED complete — State

KAMPALA - The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has informed the court that investigations into the sh14 billion case against the former Mulago Hospital executive director, Dr Baterana Byarugaba, and six others are complete.

Byarugaba is jointly charged with former senior hospital engineer Edward Kataha, former hospital senior accountant Charles Mwasa, former senior hospital administrator Kenneth Wafula, and senior procurement officer Christopher Okware.

Others are former procurement officer Adah Kamucunguzi and Setramaco International Limited directors Robert Wasike and Catherine Winfred Nabwire.

When the case resumed on March 20, 2025, chief state attorney Gloria Inzikuru informed the Anti-Corruption Court, presided over by Principal Magistrate Grade I Paul Mujuni, that investigations were complete.

She added that almost 80% of the evidence intended for use during the trial had been disclosed to the defence lawyers.

Consequently, the magistrate adjourned the case to April 30, 2025, allowing the state sufficient time to fully disclose all evidence to the defence team before setting a trial date.

The defence lawyers are David Kamukama, Joseph Luzige, John Musisi, Rogers Katunguka, Zahara Tumwikirize, Saad Seninde, and Enock Kaluba.

The accused, who are currently out on bail, have denied the charges of abuse of office, contrary to Section 11(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act, and causing financial loss, contrary to Section 20(1) of the same Act.

The offence of causing financial loss attracts a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment upon conviction, while abuse of office carries a seven-year jail term.

Allegations

It is alleged that Byarugaba, Nyeko, and Mwasa, between 2019 and 2020, at Mulago Hospital, being employed by the government and authorised users of the Integrated Financial Management System, abused their respective offices and flouted payment procedures by irregularly processing payment of over sh3 billion to Setramaco International Limited.

The money was purportedly paid for the supply of consumables to be used in routine servicing and repair of large-size sterilisation equipment of an alleged capacity of 1,500 litres, which never existed at the hospital—an act prejudicial to the interests of their employer.

Kataha and Okware, between 2019 and 2020, are accused of irregularly requisitioning sh3 billion to be paid to Setramaco, purportedly to supply consumables to be used in routine sourcing of non-existent large-size autoclaves with an alleged capacity of 1,500 litres, without following established procedures. This is said to be an act prejudicial to the interests of their employer.

Furthermore, Wasike and Nabwire, being stakeholders and directors of Setramaco, allegedly used their company to invoice Mulago Hospital to pay sh3 billion for the purported supply of consumables for non-existent autoclaves with a capacity of 1,500 litres. According to documents, this happened during the financial years 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 at the offices of Setramaco.

According to the charges, the invoice generated by Wasike and Nabwire was based on fictitious supplies and, therefore, allegedly caused a loss to Mulago Hospital.

In another count, Byarugaba, Nyeko, and Mwasa, between 2019 and 2020, allegedly irregularly processed sh1.5 billion for public payments without following proper procedures, thereby causing a loss to Mulago Hospital.

Also, Nabwire and Wasike allegedly used their company (Setramaco) and issued an invoice of sh1.5 billion, claiming that it was payment for routine servicing of autoclaves undertaken by their company, whereas not.

The two are also accused of receiving a double payment of sh186.9 million, allegedly for fixing molten blankets, guiding tapes, and conveyor belts at Mulago, as well as receiving sh196.6 million in duplicate payments for allegedly relocating steam cooking pans, yet no works were executed.

Kamucunguzi is accused of flouting procurement procedures during the repair and servicing of sterilisation equipment at Mulago, Kawempe, and Kiruddu hospitals, as well as the supply of consumables, resulting in the irregular award of a sh7.5 billion contract to Setramaco.