Muhwezi ordered to continue reporting to court
Jul 21, 2011
THE Anti- Corruption Court has ordered former health minister Jim Muhwezi and his former deputies, Mike Mukula and Alex Kamugisha, to keep reporting to court every month.
By Edward Anyoli
THE Anti- Corruption Court has ordered former health minister Jim Muhwezi and his former deputies, Mike Mukula and Alex Kamugisha, to keep reporting to court every month.
In 2007, the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) dragged the trio to court, accusing them of misappropriating sh1.6b donor funds from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI).
They are facing the charges together with former State House aide, Alice Kaboyo.
However, they petitioned the Court of Appeal, challenging the IGG’s mandate to try offences of forgery, uttering false document and causing financial loss.
The Court of Appeal dismissed the petition.
Muhwezi and his co-accused appealed against the Court of Appeal’s decision in the Supreme Court.
Their trial has been stayed at the Anti-Corruption court, pending the disposal of the appeal in the Supreme Court. However, the Supreme Court is yet to set a date for the hearing of the appeal.
But Anti-Corruption Court Chief Magistrate, Irene Akankwasa, yesterday told the lawyers representing the trio that although the proceedings to try the suspects were stayed, they should continue reporting to court for mention of their case.
Sydney Asubo, the director of legal affairs from the IGG had asked court to fix the case for hearing, saying the accused had been delaying the case deliberately.
Lawyers MacDosman Kabega, Oscar Kambona, Fred Muwema, Bob Kasango and Anaclet Turyakira opposed the application.
Kabega argued that the case could not be fixed for hearing because there is an appeal pending in the Supreme Court.
Akankwasa agreed with the lawyers, but insisted that the lawyers should vigorously pursue the appeal.
The IGG alleged that Muhwezi requisitioned over sh1b of the GAVI funds between March 2004 and April 2005.
He is also accused of causing a financial loss of sh774m from the same funds.
Muhwezi and Kaboyo are also accused of stealing sh214m from the GAVI fund account between February 23 and March 23, 2005. Muhwezi is also facing a related charge with Mukula.
THE Anti- Corruption Court has ordered former health minister Jim Muhwezi and his former deputies, Mike Mukula and Alex Kamugisha, to keep reporting to court every month.
In 2007, the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) dragged the trio to court, accusing them of misappropriating sh1.6b donor funds from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI).
They are facing the charges together with former State House aide, Alice Kaboyo.
However, they petitioned the Court of Appeal, challenging the IGG’s mandate to try offences of forgery, uttering false document and causing financial loss.
The Court of Appeal dismissed the petition.
Muhwezi and his co-accused appealed against the Court of Appeal’s decision in the Supreme Court.
Their trial has been stayed at the Anti-Corruption court, pending the disposal of the appeal in the Supreme Court. However, the Supreme Court is yet to set a date for the hearing of the appeal.
But Anti-Corruption Court Chief Magistrate, Irene Akankwasa, yesterday told the lawyers representing the trio that although the proceedings to try the suspects were stayed, they should continue reporting to court for mention of their case.
Sydney Asubo, the director of legal affairs from the IGG had asked court to fix the case for hearing, saying the accused had been delaying the case deliberately.
Lawyers MacDosman Kabega, Oscar Kambona, Fred Muwema, Bob Kasango and Anaclet Turyakira opposed the application.
Kabega argued that the case could not be fixed for hearing because there is an appeal pending in the Supreme Court.
Akankwasa agreed with the lawyers, but insisted that the lawyers should vigorously pursue the appeal.
The IGG alleged that Muhwezi requisitioned over sh1b of the GAVI funds between March 2004 and April 2005.
He is also accused of causing a financial loss of sh774m from the same funds.
Muhwezi and Kaboyo are also accused of stealing sh214m from the GAVI fund account between February 23 and March 23, 2005. Muhwezi is also facing a related charge with Mukula.