Trial of former Western Cable accountant over sh3.7b fraud resumes Monday

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The trial of a former Western Cable Limited accountant accused of embezzling sh3.7 billion from the company is set to resume on June 8, 2026.

Juliet Asiya Namuli is facing charges alongside two co-accused, Robert Kimbowa and Joanita Nakatudde. The charges include theft, conspiracy and money laundering.

The case is being heard by Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga, with 34 prosecution witnesses having so far testified.

Prosecution’s case

It is alleged that between January 2012 and December 31, 2016, while employed as an accountant at Western Cable Company Limited, Namuli stole sh1.7 billion, which she had access to by virtue of her employment.

In the second count, it is alleged that between January 2014 and December 2016, at Western Cable Company Limited in the Industrial Area, Kampala, Namuli stole sh1.3 billion.

The prosecution further alleges that Namuli and Kimbowa, between August 2015 and December 2016, at the company’s offices on Sixth Street in the Industrial Area and at DFCU Bank in Kampala, stole an additional sh751 million from the company.

Namuli and Kimbowa are also charged with 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 laundered sh1.7 billion between December 1, 2013 and December 31, 2016, knowing or having reason to believe that the funds were proceeds of crime.

Laundered money

It is further alleged that Namuli and Kimbowa laundered another sh751 million through DFCU Bank account number 01443553554618 in the names of Westerner Cables Uganda Limited.

The prosecution alleges that they knew, or had reason to believe, that the money was proceeds of crime obtained through a cheque that Namuli allegedly stole from Western Cable Company Limited.

Prosecution, led by Chief State Attorney Abigail Agaba from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), alleges that Namuli and Kimbowa conspired to steal funds from Western Cable Company Limited.

It is further alleged that on May 30, 2018, at Letshego offices in Kampala, Nakatudde used land comprised in Busiro Block 459 Plot 547 at Katale in Wakiso District as security to obtain a loan of sh30 million, yet she allegedly knew that the property had been acquired using proceeds of crime.

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

The accused denied the charges and are currently out on bail.