Byandala to be committed to High Court for trial

By Michael Odeng                                        

With the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) investigations into the Mukono-Katosi Road scandal concluded, minister without portfolio, Abraham Byandala and five others are to be committed to High Court for trial.

They face charges in connection with the loss of over sh24b meant for the upgrade of the 74 kilometer Mukono-Katosi Road.

The IGG prosecutor, Thomas Okoth on uesday told court presided over by Grade One Magistrate Julius Borore that investigations were complete and they are ready for trial.

He therefore requested for two weeks to allow IGG prepare committal papers with the purpose of sending the accused persons to High Court, Anti-Corruption Division to stand trial.

 Former Uganda National Roads Authority officials (L-R) Marvin Baryaruha, the former head of legal; Emmanuel Ssemugooma, the former head of Finance and Administration; Eng. Kimeze Ssebbuga, the former UNRA Acting Executive Director and Abraham Byandala, the former Minister of Works and Transport chat before the hearing at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala on 15th Sept 2015.  Photo/Godfrey Kimono

Other IGG representatives were Rogers Kinobe and Brenda Kimbugwe.

The accused are battling charges of abuse of office, disobedience of lawful orders, influence peddling, causing financial loss, corruption, theft, and obtaining money by false pretense.

Others are uttering false documents, conspiracy to defraud and felony, obtaining execution of a security by false pretense, aiding and abetting theft.

Byandala, 65, was charged together with three former Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) officials- Berunado Ssebbugga, 54, (former Acting Executive Director), Joe Ssemugooma, 54, (Acting director finance and Administration), Marvin Baryaruha, 45, (legal counsel).

Others charged were; a city businessman Apolo Senkeeto, 45, and a former Housing Finance Bank official Isaac Mugote.