DPP withdraws case against Kirumira

By Vision Reporter                                                                                     

KAMPALA - City tycoon Godfrey Kirumira is finally a free man after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) withdrew charges of fraud against him.          

Kirumira, who is chairman of the Kwagalana Group of city moguls, has been facing charges of theft at the Anti-Corruption Court. He was jointly charged with Fred Kilenga, Fredrick Kayiira, Micheal Ojambo, and Francis Twinobusingye.

He first appeared in court on October 5, 2012 when he was granted cash bail of sh6m.

However, state attorney Lilian Omara told the anti-corruption court on Wednesday that the DPP had lost interest in prosecuting Kirumira and the trial Chief Magistrate, Irene Akankwasa approved.

It is alleged that Ojambo and Twinobusingye between July and August, 2012 at Bank of Baroda in Kampala, forged an Electronic Fund Transfer of money from Kiruhura district bank account held in Baroda Mbarara branch claiming it was made in favour of Baggery Trading account.

Kirumira owns Bargery Trading Company. The money was part of the conditional grant funds remitted to Kiruhura District Local Government in the financial year but was unspent and thus had to be remitted to the treasury.

Paul Kuteesa of Kampala Associated Advocates, who have been representing Kirumira, said it was prudent for the DPP to withdraw the case because there was no sufficient evidence to link the businessman to the alleged fraud.

“The DPP must have weighed the evidence against Kirumira and found it was not a case he could sustain. It is good he did not waste court’s time,” said Kuteesa.

However, the DPP maintained charges against Kirumira’s co-accused.