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The trial of the Bushenyi district principal agricultural officer accused of failing to declare property worth shillings one billion is expected to resume on Friday, March 15, 2024.

The Kampala, Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court presided over by Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga on January 22, 2024, adjourned Amon Natwebembera’s case to March 15 for further hearing.

The prosecution is expected to produce more witnesses to testify about the charges

It is alleged that Natwebembera as a public officer did not declare the Grand Villa Hotel in Mbarara valued at shillings one billion to the Inspectorate of Government (IG).

Natwebembera is facing the charges alongside Bushenyi businessman Herbert Gumisiriza before the same court.

Prosecution’s case

The prosecution, led by Phillip Munaba and Wycliff Mutabule, alleges that while employed as the principal agricultural officer of Bushenyi, Natwebembera acquired property worth shillings one billion, which is not commensurate with his known income.

It is further alleged that Natwebembera, in August 2022 in Mbarara, with the intent to deceive, presented a fake land sale agreement dated April 25, 2016, to IGG’s investigators, purporting that he had sold off his land at plot 18, Folio 3, Volume 514, Rwebishuri Road, Kakoba in Mbarara city, whereas not.

According to court documents, during verification of income, assets, and liabilities conducted by the IGG for three years, it is alleged that Natwebembera owns a hotel valued at shillings one billion.

Gumisiriza was charged with dealing with suspect property under section 21 a (1), (2) (b) of the Anti-Corruption Court Act.

It is alleged that Gumisiriza, between 2016 and 2021 at Mbarara city, entered into a sale agreement with Natwebembera for a piece of land located at plot 18, Folio 3, Volume 514, Rwebishuri Road, Kakoba in Mbarara city to conceal the owner of the property.

The prosecution said Gumisiriza entered the agreement yet he knew that the property was allegedly acquired through corrupt means. They denied the charges.

What the law says

Any person convicted of the offence of illicit enrichment is liable to 10 years in jail or a fine of shillings 4.8 million or both. The offence of dealing in suspect property elicits a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment.