Works chief engineer efended on sh1.6b loss
THE decision to approve additional construction works on Entebbe-Zana-Kibuye highway was not reached by the works ministry’s chief engineer alone, court heard last week. Sh1.6b was mismanaged during the additional works.
By Edward Anyoli
THE decision to approve additional construction works on Entebbe-Zana-Kibuye highway was not reached by the works ministry’s chief engineer alone, court heard last week. Sh1.6b was mismanaged during the additional works.
James Kirunda, the principal engineer from MBW Consulting Engineers, testified that Samson Bagonza of the works ministry did not make the decision on his own.
Kirunda, the second prosecution witness, told court that Bagonza only implemented the decision.
He told Justice John Bosco Katusti that the decision was made in a meeting attended by works minister John Nasasira.
They agreed that additional construction work was necessary as the road had started getting potholes, he said.
Kirunda added that the meeting proposed remedial measures because the road had also started flooding before it was opened to traffic.
He explained to the Anti-Corruption Court that the urgent remedial measures prompted him to instruct constructors to do the work without consulting Bagonza.
The engineer denied the allegations that double payment was made to the constructors.
His Police statement and minutes of the meetings were tendered in court as defence exhibits.
Court heard that because of the importance of the project, some of the meetings were held by the road side to ascertain whether the work was properly done.
Bagonza faces two charges: abuse of office and causing financial loss.
He allegedly acted against the interests of the Ministry of Works when he undertook additional construction work on the highway.
Prosecution said the work cost sh1.6b, which was allegedly not approved by the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority.
Bagonza, the first government official to be charged over the mismanagement of CHOGM funds, denied the charges.
THE decision to approve additional construction works on Entebbe-Zana-Kibuye highway was not reached by the works ministry’s chief engineer alone, court heard last week. Sh1.6b was mismanaged during the additional works.
James Kirunda, the principal engineer from MBW Consulting Engineers, testified that Samson Bagonza of the works ministry did not make the decision on his own.
Kirunda, the second prosecution witness, told court that Bagonza only implemented the decision.
He told Justice John Bosco Katusti that the decision was made in a meeting attended by works minister John Nasasira.
They agreed that additional construction work was necessary as the road had started getting potholes, he said.
Kirunda added that the meeting proposed remedial measures because the road had also started flooding before it was opened to traffic.
He explained to the Anti-Corruption Court that the urgent remedial measures prompted him to instruct constructors to do the work without consulting Bagonza.
The engineer denied the allegations that double payment was made to the constructors.
His Police statement and minutes of the meetings were tendered in court as defence exhibits.
Court heard that because of the importance of the project, some of the meetings were held by the road side to ascertain whether the work was properly done.
Bagonza faces two charges: abuse of office and causing financial loss.
He allegedly acted against the interests of the Ministry of Works when he undertook additional construction work on the highway.
Prosecution said the work cost sh1.6b, which was allegedly not approved by the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority.
Bagonza, the first government official to be charged over the mismanagement of CHOGM funds, denied the charges.