Former parliament boss jailed over sh9.5m debt

By Edward Anyoli      

The former director of the budget office at Parliament , Samuel Wanyaka, has been committed to Luzira civil prison over a sh9.5m debt.

Wanyaka was picked from the Anti- Corruption Court in Kololo Monday mid - morning where had he had gone to answer charges of abuse of office and embezzlement.

Kyese Bailiffs Associates picked Wanyaka and drove him to Mukono Chief Magistrate’s Court where he appeared before Sarah Nkonge who committed him to civil prison.

Wanyaka was dragged to court for failure to pay a debt of sh9.5m to Alex Kakembo and Jane Nabagala in a land dispute.

After Wanyaka appeared before Mukono Court Chief Magistrate  he  was taken back to the High Court Anti- Corruption division before Justice Paul Mugamba to answer charges of abuse of office and embezzlement.

Clerk to Parliament Jane Kibirige, the first prosecution witness, told court that money totalling sh822m was advanced to Wanyaka for service delivery but as the clerk to Parliament she did not receive any accountability from him.

Kibirige told court that she was not briefed on how the money advanced to Wanyaka was spent.

Any person found guilty of abuse of office under the Anti- Corruption Act is liable to seven years' imprisonment while embezzlement carries a maximum sentence of fourteen years on conviction.

Kibirige testified that senior accountant Christine Alweny wrote to her listing those who had not accounted for the money advanced to them Wanyaka inclusive.

Court heard that before Wanyaka could be asked to account for the money the IGG started investigations and halted other on going investigations.

Prosecution led by Thomas Court from the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) said Wanyaka between August and December 2013 allegedly received sh822 and falsely accounted for sh682m and failed to account for sh140m

Prosecution said Wanyaka made fictitious and false accountability for sh682 claiming to be for the service delivery.

The money was meant for service delivery surveys countrywide but Wanyaka, who allegedly had access to the money by virtue of his employment as director Parliamentary Budget Office, allegedly put the money to his personal use. He denied the allegation and dismisses it as false.

Attempts by Wanyaka to block his trial by way of judicial review in High Court Civil division failed after Justice Lydia Mugambe dismissed his petition saying it lacked merit.

He had sought for the judicial review saying he was never given an opportunity to defend himself.