Refer mayor case to new court â€" lawyer
Aug 03, 2010
THE lawyer representing Francis Atugonza, the Hoima mayor, wants his client’s case referred to the Constitutional Court. Atugonza allegedly sold Hoima Town Council land at Rwentuha without the authority of the council between 2007 and 2008 at sh60m to Warid Telecom.
By Edward Anyoli
THE lawyer representing Francis Atugonza, the Hoima mayor, wants his client’s case referred to the Constitutional Court. Atugonza allegedly sold Hoima Town Council land at Rwentuha without the authority of the council between 2007 and 2008 at sh60m to Warid Telecom.
Mohammed Mbabazi applied to the Anti-Corruption Court, presided over by Justice Paul Mugamba, to refer the case to the Constitutional Court for interpretation, saying Atugonza was charged under a wrong law. Mbabazi argued that charging Atugonza under the new Anti-Corruption Act with abuse of office was inconsistent with Article 28 (7) of the Constitution, yet the offence was committed before the Anti-Corruption Act came into force in August 2009.
Prosecutor Jane Okuo said Atugonza on January 23, 2008, used the official stamp of Hoima Town Council and fake documents to sell the land belonging to the council and claimed he was the absolute owner. He was Hoima’s mayor at the time.
Atugonza denied the charges.
THE lawyer representing Francis Atugonza, the Hoima mayor, wants his client’s case referred to the Constitutional Court. Atugonza allegedly sold Hoima Town Council land at Rwentuha without the authority of the council between 2007 and 2008 at sh60m to Warid Telecom.
Mohammed Mbabazi applied to the Anti-Corruption Court, presided over by Justice Paul Mugamba, to refer the case to the Constitutional Court for interpretation, saying Atugonza was charged under a wrong law. Mbabazi argued that charging Atugonza under the new Anti-Corruption Act with abuse of office was inconsistent with Article 28 (7) of the Constitution, yet the offence was committed before the Anti-Corruption Act came into force in August 2009.
Prosecutor Jane Okuo said Atugonza on January 23, 2008, used the official stamp of Hoima Town Council and fake documents to sell the land belonging to the council and claimed he was the absolute owner. He was Hoima’s mayor at the time.
Atugonza denied the charges.