Akankwasa's wife to defend self in sh900m theft case

By AndanteOkanya

Juliet Katusiime, the wife of the former National Forestry Authority (NFA) boss Damian Akankwasa, is expected on Friday to defend herself over allegations that she stole sh900m on August 27, 2009 from their matrimonial home in the upscale city suburb of Naguru.

Katusiime is jointly charged with David Ssebuliba, a businessman and resident of the city suburb of Nansana, plus Maj. Godfrey Kyomuhendo, of the Defense ministry.

The accused had been scheduled to start defending themselves at the City Hall Court in Kampala on Monday.

However, proceedings flopped after trial magistrate, Juliet Hatanga was said to be indisposed.

Prosecution led by Robert Mackay alleges that on the  fateful day, at the couple's residence at Naguru Hill in Nakawa Division, Katusiime stole sh100m belonging to Akankwasa, sh400m of George William Akankwasa and sh400m of Mr John Bagambe, both brothers of the ex-NFA boss.

It is also alleged that on February 29, 2008 at Kamwokya, Katusiime forged and uttered a membership card for KCC-Empowerment Sacco Limited, and purported to be Annet  Basemera.

In his testimony, Akankwasa said his wife embarrassed him.

The brothers testified that they had planned to set up a real estate business in the city suburb of Kawempe.

The ex-NFA boss currently has a pending case at the Anti-Corruption Court over an alleged sh2b loss to the Authority.