Tumukunde faces new charges
The State has slapped a fresh charge of a sh379m fraud against former ISO Director General Brig. Henry Tumukunde.
By Anne Mugisa and Solomon Muyita
The State has slapped a fresh charge of a sh379m fraud against former ISO Director General Brig. Henry Tumukunde.
Tumukunde is already charged with creating ‘ghosts’ on the soldiers’ payroll. He denies the charges.
Tumukunde allegedly intended to defraud the Government when he committed the offences between November 2000 and November 2001 when he was the UPDF 4th Division chief in Gulu.
The earlier charge of a sh120m fraud against Tumukunde was replaced with three new charges of diverting sh379,450,680 meant for 650 soldiers’ food allowances and salaries.
The amended charge sheet said Tumukunde directed the maintenance of auxiliary forces on the payroll though he knew they were not entitled to the money.
Drama ensued in the court when the second and the third counts on the charge sheet were read to Tumukunde. He and his lawyers insisted that the charges were vague and he could not take plea.
A protracted argument ensued between Tumukunde’s lawyer, Oscar Kambona, prosecutor Sam Sserwanga and Court Martial chief Lt. Gen. Elly Tumwine.
Tumukunde later reluctantly pleaded not guilty. “I am sure prosecution would have used better language but in the interest of time I would like to believe that I understand,†he said. Tumwine read the charges again and tried to explain to Tumukunde who replied, “with your explanation, I want... well... I understand.â€
Sserwanga told the court that inquiries were complete and the trial date was set for April 30, 2004.
Tumukunde is also charged with neglecting duty and disobeying orders to face a probe committee.
He was allegedly supposed to appear before the committee headed by Lt Gen David Tinyefuza on October 12, 2003.
He is also charged with failing to manage or ascertain the strength of the UPDF while serving as chief of personnel and administration between August 1996 and March 1998. The cases come up for mention on April 30.
The State has slapped a fresh charge of a sh379m fraud against former ISO Director General Brig. Henry Tumukunde.
Tumukunde is already charged with creating ‘ghosts’ on the soldiers’ payroll. He denies the charges.
Tumukunde allegedly intended to defraud the Government when he committed the offences between November 2000 and November 2001 when he was the UPDF 4th Division chief in Gulu.
The earlier charge of a sh120m fraud against Tumukunde was replaced with three new charges of diverting sh379,450,680 meant for 650 soldiers’ food allowances and salaries.
The amended charge sheet said Tumukunde directed the maintenance of auxiliary forces on the payroll though he knew they were not entitled to the money.
Drama ensued in the court when the second and the third counts on the charge sheet were read to Tumukunde. He and his lawyers insisted that the charges were vague and he could not take plea.
A protracted argument ensued between Tumukunde’s lawyer, Oscar Kambona, prosecutor Sam Sserwanga and Court Martial chief Lt. Gen. Elly Tumwine.
Tumukunde later reluctantly pleaded not guilty. “I am sure prosecution would have used better language but in the interest of time I would like to believe that I understand,†he said. Tumwine read the charges again and tried to explain to Tumukunde who replied, “with your explanation, I want... well... I understand.â€
Sserwanga told the court that inquiries were complete and the trial date was set for April 30, 2004.
Tumukunde is also charged with neglecting duty and disobeying orders to face a probe committee.
He was allegedly supposed to appear before the committee headed by Lt Gen David Tinyefuza on October 12, 2003.
He is also charged with failing to manage or ascertain the strength of the UPDF while serving as chief of personnel and administration between August 1996 and March 1998. The cases come up for mention on April 30.