Katosi scam: Senkeeto starts defence

Senkeeto (right) accompanied by his lawyer Peter Mulira (left) after the court hearing at Anti-corruption Court in Kololo on October 31. Photo by Nancy Nanyonga

City businessman Apollo Senkeeto, accused of causing financial loss of sh24.7b meant for Katosi road works started his defence today, denying uttering documents to Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA).

Appearing before Just ice Lawrence Gidudu, Senkeeto said he had nothing to do with the Housing Finance Bank account into which sh24.7b was deposited by UNRA as an advance payment for the road works.

"I was only a signatory because I was needed to write cheques".

Senkeeto appeared in court alongside former works minister Abraham Byandala, ex-UNRA officials Kimeze Ssebbugga, 54, Joe Ssemugooma, Wilberforce Senjako and Isaac Mugote, a former Housing Finance Bank official.

They are battling charges ranging from abuse of office, causing financial loss, disobedience of lawful orders, theft, uttering false documents, corruption and obtaining execution of a security by false pretence.

He also notified court that he wants the matter referred to Constitutional Court for interpretation.

According to the charge sheet, Senkeeto is alleged to have uttered a false KCB bank bid guarantee for sh1.9b in support of a bid for procurement of the road upgrade.

Prosecution also alleges that Senkeeto obtained execution of performance bond of sh16.5b from Insurance Company of East Africa and UAP by misrepresenting to them that it was guaranteeing a pending payment for the road.

Byandala is alleged to have influenced the procurement process that led to the award of tender to Eutaw.

Meanwhile, UNRA officials were accused by the IGG for effecting payment of sh24.7b to Eutaw without establishing its authenticity.