Basangira Charged On Valley Dams

By Hillary Kiirya and Fred Nangoli AFTER the Police hunted for him for over three years, John Baptist Basangira accused of obtaining over sh1.6b meant for the construction of valley dams, yesterday appeared in court charged with obtaining money by false pretence.Basangira, 53, a resident of Mutundwe in Kampala, is the managing director of Basangira Building Contractors Limited which was discovered to be non-existent.He allegedly obtained sh1,633,096,499 from the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industries and Fisheries Entebbe.The money was meant to build valley dams and valley tanks in the districts of Luweero, Mubende, Kiboga and Masaka. He appeared before Buganda Road Court magistrate Charles Serubuga. He denied the charges and was granted cash bail of sh2m and his sureties bonded at sh50m not cash.His business associates Aloysius Lubabazi and Charles Lyamulemye stood surety for him. He paid the money and was told to report to court on September 5 for mention.However, the Police file was reported missing from the DPP’s office. It is said to be in the hands of Joan Kagezi, the former resident state attorney at Buganda Road Court now at DPP’s office. Prosecution told court that Basangira and others defrauded Government of sh1, 633,096,499 by pretending that he would build dams.Ends