US court charges two for allegedly bribing Uganda, Chad officials

Federal prosecutors in the US have charged two men accused of offering bribes to Uganda and Chad officials to secure business deals.

Dr. Chi Ping Patrick Ho, 68, of Hong Kong, and Cheikh Gadio, 61, of Senegal, were charged in a criminal complaint in Manhattan federal court with violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, international money laundering and conspiracy to commit both.

The men allegedly gave Uganda's foreign affairs minister Sam Kutesa $500,000 (sh1.8b) when he was president of the United Nations General Assembly and the money was wired to Uganda.

The statement from FBI office says Ho and Gadio wanted to "get their hands on the rights to lucrative opportunities in Africa."

Angel M. Melendez, head of New York's Department of Homeland Security office, said the men offered millions of dollars in bribes disguised as charitable donations to gain business advantages.

The allegations also indicate that Chadian president was also bribed.

Efforts to talk to Kutesa were futile.