Passports scam suspects sent on remand

Feb 10, 2014

Four people including a Makerere University lecturer accused of irregular issuing of passports to unapproved applicant have been charged with abuse of office and remanded to Luzira Prison.

By Michael Odeng             

Four people including a Makerere University lecturer accused of irregular issuing of passports to unapproved applicant have been charged with abuse of office and remanded to Luzira Prison.

Ambrose Atwine Bahiigi, 31, Erikana Tusherure, 38 and Dr. Denis Mpaire, 50, have appeared before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate, Olive Kazaarwe Mukwaya. They however, denied the charges.

Mukwaya refered the case to the Anti-Corruption court for bail hearing since they were charged under section 11 (1) of the Anti-corruption Act.

“Since bail is a constitutional right you have a right to apply for it at the Anti-Corruption Court,” Mukwaya said.

After the bail application is heard the registrar will decide whether the case will be prosecuted at Buganda Road Court or Anti- Corruption Court.  

Meanwhile, Gashow Flagot Ayele, 35, an Ethiopian National working as a Sales and Reservation officer with Ethiopian Airline did not take plea because she was reported to be sick. This prompted state prosecutor, Lillian Omara, to apply for criminal summons against the suspect.

The four also face another count of conspiracy to commit a felony. It’s alleged that the suspects conspired to forge a Ugandan passport, academic transcript and certificates in the names of John Tugume for the benefit of Michael Belay, a foreign national.

The case resumes Tuesday.



 

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