Former labour minister sent to High Court for trial

Jun 28, 2017

Chief Magistrate Agnes Alum yesterday committed Kabafunzaki for trial after senior state attorney Barbara Kawuma said the Directorate of Public Prosecutions is ready to prosecute the minister and his two co- accused

Former state minister for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, Herbert Kabafunzaki, accused  of  bribery has been sent  to  Anti-Corruption High Court for trial.

 Chief Magistrate Agnes Alum yesterday committed Kabafunzaki for trial after senior state attorney Barbara Kawuma said the Directorate of Public Prosecutions is ready to prosecute the minister and his two co- accused.

Kabafunzaki, Brian Mugabo and a one Bruce Lubowa, are battling corruption related offences. The trio is purported to have solicited and obtained money from AYA Group chief executive officer Mohammed Hamid, in exchange clear his name of sexual assault allegations against him.

"Your worship this matter was fixed for today for hearing but I have instructions from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions to commit the accused to High Court for trial," Kawuma said.

Charges

For count one, Kabafunzaki, is accused of corruption in breach of Section 2 and 26 of the Anti-Corruption Act (ACA) 2009.

DPP purports that on April 8, while at Kampala Serena Hotel, Kabafunzaki, in his capacity as minister, directly solicited a sh15m bribe.

DPP claims the money was a gratification from a one Mohammed Hamid, in exchange for clearing his (Hamid's) name from allegations of sexual harassment by a former employee.

For the second count, he is also accused of corruption, in breach of the Anti-Corruption Act. It is allege that on the same day, he directly accepted sh5m as gratification to clear Hamid's name.

In event of conviction, it carries maximum sentence of 10 years in jail or a fine of sh4.8m or both.

Court has the discretion under Section 46 of ACA to bar a publish officer from holding public office for 10 years.

In the third count, the minister and Lubowa are jointly charged with conspiracy to commit a felony outlawed under Section 390 of Uganda's Penal Code Act (PCA).

Prosecution purports that between April 6 and 8 in Kampala, the duo contrived to solicit sh15m from Hamid in exchange for cleaning his name in the sexual harassment claims.

The offence of conspiracy carries a maximum sentence of seven years in jail on conviction.

It is alleged that on April 8, at the same hotel, Mugabo knew that the minister had accepted the bribe and hid the sh5m, to enable the minister escape punishment. Trial date will be fixed by the High court.  

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