Foreign affairs official has case to answer

Dec 08, 2010

THE former foreign affairs ministry Great Lakes Region coordinator, accused of embezzling sh223m, has a case to answer.

By Edward Anyoli

THE former foreign affairs ministry Great Lakes Region coordinator, accused of embezzling sh223m, has a case to answer.

Justice John Bosco Katutsi of the Anti-Corruption Court yesterday ruled that Sarah Bireete should defend herself against the charges starting from December 22.

Bireete, a former employee of the ministry, faces two charges of abuse of office and causing a financial loss.

According to the prosecution, Bireete acted against the interests of the ministry when she allegedly deposited government funds worth $114,160 (sh223m) on an account she opened in the Tropical Bank in the names of Youth League.

The money was part of Uganda’s annual surplus contribution to the Great Lakes Region Conference in Burundi meant for coordinating activities of the Great Lakes Region.

Justice Katutsi’s directives followed the testimony of 10 witnesses, including Ambassador James Mugume.

Mugume denied writing to the secretariat’s deputy executive secretary, Charles Kapekele Chileya, in Burundi, requesting for the refund.

Prosecution, led by Lillian Omara, said Bireete allegedly committed the offences between February and May 2009 in Kampala.

She has denied the allegations.

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