Jim Muhwezi trial resumes

Oct 29, 2007

THE trial of former health ministers Jim Muhwezi, Mike Mukula, Dr. Alex Kamugisha and former State House aide, Alice Kaboyo, resumes today.

By Charles Ariko and Edward Anyoli

THE trial of former health ministers Jim Muhwezi, Mike Mukula, Dr. Alex Kamugisha and former State House aide, Alice Kaboyo, resumes today.

The four are facing different charges connected to the mismanagement of sh1.6b donor funds received from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI).

“I am looking forward to an expeditious trial,” Mukula told The New Vision last night. “I want justice to prevail because I am a clean person. I have never been a thief in my life. I want the whole country to know that.”

The other three accused were not available for comment.

“We are ready for the trial,” said Sydney Asubo, the principal state attorney from the IGG office.

“I believe we have a solid case to present and we also want an expeditious trial,” Asubo added.

The high-profile trial was adjourned on July 17 at the request of the deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Michael Wamasebu, who took over from the IGG’s prosecutor, Lillian Mwandha.

He had requested for more time to study the evidence.

Before the adjournment, the IGG had slapped additional charges on Dr. Kamugisha, accusing him of causing financial loss to the Government by giving travel allowances to 57 MPs. The allowances, amounting to sh11.4m, were to facilitate them to carry out mobilisation work in their constituencies. The IGG did not name the MPs involved but said the money was not accounted for.

Jim Muhwezi is facing two counts of abuse of office, one of causing financial loss, one of embezzlement and another of theft.

Mukula is accused of abuse of office and embezzlement, while Kamugisha is accused of causing financial loss, obtaining money by false pretences and abuse of office.

Kaboyo is charged with abuse of office, theft, forgery and uttering false documents.

Embezzlement and causing financial loss carry a maximum of 14 years imprisonment. Forgery, theft and uttering false documents carry a maximum prison sentence of 10 years, while a person accused of abuse of office risks seven years in jail.

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