Trial of ex-cable company accountant over sh3.7b fraud resumes

KAMPALA - The trial of the former Western Cable Ltd accountant accused of embezzling shillings 3.7 billion resumes today.

Juliet Asiya Namuli faces charges related to theft, conspiracy and money laundering, alongside Robert Kimbowa and Joanita Nakatudde. 

The case will be presided over by acting Principal Judge Jane Okuo Kajuga, with 34 prosecution witnesses having testified so far.

Prosecution’s case

It is alleged that between January 2012 and December 31, 2016, while Namuli was employed as an accountant at Western Cable Company Ltd, she stole shillings 1.7 billion, which she had access to by virtue of her employment.

In the second count, it is purported that between January 2014 and December 2016 at Western Cable Company Ltd at an industrial area, in Kampala city, she stole shillings 1.3 billion.

Prosecution alleges that Namuli and Kimbowa in August 2015 and December 2016, at the Western Cable Company Ltd offices on Sixth Street, Industrial Area and dfcu Bank in Kampala, stole yet another shillings 751 million from the company.

Namuli and Kimbowa were also charged with the offence of money laundering contrary to sections 3 (c) 116 and 136(1) (a) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

According to the prosecution, the duo and others still at large from December 1, 2013, to December 31, 2016, laundered shillings 1.7 billion, yet they knew that it was stolen money.

Laundered money

It is further alleged that Namuli and Kimbowa laundered another shillings 751 million in dfcu Bank through account number 01443553554618 in the names of Westerner Cables Uganda Ltd.

Prosecution says the suspects knew that at the time they received the money, it was proceeds of crime, from a cheque that Namuli allegedly stole from Western Cable Company Ltd.

Prosecution, led by Chief State Attorney Abigail Agaba at the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), said Namuli and Kimbowa conspired to steal funds from Western Cable Company Ltd.

It is alleged that Nakatudde, on May 30, 2018, at Letshego offices in Kampala, used land comprised in Busiro Block 459 Plot 547, land at Katale in Wakiso district as security and borrowed shillings 30 million, yet she knew that at the time of acquiring the property it was a proceed of crime.

Prosecution alleges she later sold and transferred the property comprising Block 459, Plot 547, at Katale to Violet Tusiime.

The accused denied the charges and are out on bail.