Katosi Scam: Byandala, co-accused have case to answer

Oct 02, 2017

The former minister was charged alongside four former Uganda National Roads Authority officials

The Inspector General of Government (IGG) has maintained that former works Minister Abraham Byandala and six others accused of embezzling sh24.7b from government have a case to answer.

The sh24.7b was meant for to upgrade the 72km Mukono-Katosi road from gravel to bitumen standard.

Today, the IGG's Director of Legal Affairs Sarah Birungi asked the Anti-Corruption Court to compel the accused to defend themselves on allegations of corruption, theft and causing financial loss to government.

"The court should find that prosecution has adduced sufficient evidence to put the accused on defence in regard to the offences they are facing," Birungi requested.

She was submitting on ‘a case to answer' before the Anti-Corruption court, presided over by its head, Justice Lawrence Gidudu.

Birungi submitted that Byandala in abuse of his office did an arbitrary act, when he directed the then acting executive director Berunado Kimeze Ssebbugga, 55, (also one of the accused) to immediately sign a contract between Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and Eutaw Construction Company before due diligence on the identities of persons, representing the company was concluded.

Byandala, 66, was charged alongside four former Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) officials: Berunado Ssebbugga, 55, (former acting executive director), Joe Ssemugooma, 55, (acting director finance and administration), and Wilberforce Senjako (regional accountant).

Others are city businessman Apolo Senkeeto, 46, and a former Housing Finance Bank official, Isaac Mugote.

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