Muhwezi quizzed over foiled bank robbery
Oct 07, 2008
NRM MP and former health minister Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi was yesterday interrogated by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for seven hours over the September 25 foiled Stanbic Bank robbery.
By Anne Mugisa
and Herbert Ssempogo
NRM MP and former health minister Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi was yesterday interrogated by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for seven hours over the September 25 foiled Stanbic Bank robbery.
He was released on Police bond and is expected back at the CID at 10:30am today.
Muhwezi, who denies any involvement in the attempted robbery, entered for interrogation shortly after 9:00am and came out some minutes after 4:00pm.
He told journalists that he was treated well by the Police and was allowed drinks and a chance to use the restroom.
Armed policemen were stationed at the entrance of the building where Muhwezi was interrogated.
Muhwezi said the Police informed him that a possible charge of aggravated robbery would be brought against him.
Without going into details, Muhwezi said he talked about the way he spent the day of the attempted robbery.
“I was not there and no money was lost so no aggravated robbery case can be talked about. In the circumstances, aggravated robbery charges are ridiculous to someone who studied law,†Muhwezi said.
His lawyer, Peter Kabatsi, said Muhwezi was also questioned about the involvement of his bodyguard in the alleged robbery.
When Muhwezi emerged, accompanied by his wife, Susan, he was received by cheering relatives and friends who hugged him.
Among them were fellow MPs Margaret Muhanga, Woman MP for Kabarole, Okot Ogong (Dokolo) and Henry Banyenzaki (Rubanda).
Also present to show support were former ISO boss Brig. Henry Tumukunde and Muhwezi’s two co-accused in the GAVI fund embezzlement case, former State House employee Alice Kaboyo and former state health minister Mike Mukula.
The latter happened to be at CID to answer charges of lying under oath in another scam involving donor funds, the $43m Global Fund.
Eleven people have been arrested over the alleged attempted robbery from the Garden City branch of Stanbic Bank.
They are Muhwezi’s driver, Pte. David Muhumuza, and his bodyguard, Bernard Bainomugisha, both of the Internal Security Organisation (ISO).
They were recruited when Muhwezi was still heading ISO, between 1986 and 1996, and they remained with him since he left the agency.
Six of the suspects, including three bank officials and Kampala businessman Justus Kashoma, have been charged with aggravated robbery and sent on remand to Luzira Prison.
Among the bank officials charged are the assistant manager executive banking, Sam Wanamama, the customer relations manager, Sharifa Kyamanywa, and the system administrator, Barry Zizinga. Kashoma allegedly tried to cash two cheques for sh500m and $500,000 respectively.
According to the Police, the money was part of a larger amount of sh10b that had been fraudulently transferred into Kashoma’s accounts from the bank’s General Cash Account.
The Police say it was aggravated robbery because one of the accused carried a pistol. Aggravated robbery is a capital offence that is tried by the High Court and carries a maximum penalty of death on conviction.
and Herbert Ssempogo
NRM MP and former health minister Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi was yesterday interrogated by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for seven hours over the September 25 foiled Stanbic Bank robbery.
He was released on Police bond and is expected back at the CID at 10:30am today.
Muhwezi, who denies any involvement in the attempted robbery, entered for interrogation shortly after 9:00am and came out some minutes after 4:00pm.
He told journalists that he was treated well by the Police and was allowed drinks and a chance to use the restroom.
Armed policemen were stationed at the entrance of the building where Muhwezi was interrogated.
Muhwezi said the Police informed him that a possible charge of aggravated robbery would be brought against him.
Without going into details, Muhwezi said he talked about the way he spent the day of the attempted robbery.
“I was not there and no money was lost so no aggravated robbery case can be talked about. In the circumstances, aggravated robbery charges are ridiculous to someone who studied law,†Muhwezi said.
His lawyer, Peter Kabatsi, said Muhwezi was also questioned about the involvement of his bodyguard in the alleged robbery.
When Muhwezi emerged, accompanied by his wife, Susan, he was received by cheering relatives and friends who hugged him.
Among them were fellow MPs Margaret Muhanga, Woman MP for Kabarole, Okot Ogong (Dokolo) and Henry Banyenzaki (Rubanda).
Also present to show support were former ISO boss Brig. Henry Tumukunde and Muhwezi’s two co-accused in the GAVI fund embezzlement case, former State House employee Alice Kaboyo and former state health minister Mike Mukula.
The latter happened to be at CID to answer charges of lying under oath in another scam involving donor funds, the $43m Global Fund.
Eleven people have been arrested over the alleged attempted robbery from the Garden City branch of Stanbic Bank.
They are Muhwezi’s driver, Pte. David Muhumuza, and his bodyguard, Bernard Bainomugisha, both of the Internal Security Organisation (ISO).
They were recruited when Muhwezi was still heading ISO, between 1986 and 1996, and they remained with him since he left the agency.
Six of the suspects, including three bank officials and Kampala businessman Justus Kashoma, have been charged with aggravated robbery and sent on remand to Luzira Prison.
Among the bank officials charged are the assistant manager executive banking, Sam Wanamama, the customer relations manager, Sharifa Kyamanywa, and the system administrator, Barry Zizinga. Kashoma allegedly tried to cash two cheques for sh500m and $500,000 respectively.
According to the Police, the money was part of a larger amount of sh10b that had been fraudulently transferred into Kashoma’s accounts from the bank’s General Cash Account.
The Police say it was aggravated robbery because one of the accused carried a pistol. Aggravated robbery is a capital offence that is tried by the High Court and carries a maximum penalty of death on conviction.