Tycoon Kirumura off the hook

By Vision Reporter

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 court on Wednesday that the DPP had lost interest in prosecuting Kirumira and the trial Chief Magistrate, Irene Akankwasa approved.

Paul Kuteesa of Kampala Associated Advocates, who represented 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.

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 Bargery Trading Company account.

Kirumira owns Bargery Trading Company. The money was part of the conditional grant funds remitted to Kiruhura district Local Government in the 2011/2012 financial year but was unspent and thus had to be remitted to the treasury.
However, the DPP maintained charges against Kirumira's co-accused.