UNBS employees charged over attempt to extort sh800m

COURT

KAMPALA - Two Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) employees have been charged and remanded to Kitalya Prison for allegedly attempting to extort sh800m from a dairy farm.

Derrick Konde, 31, the UNBS imports inspector, Stephen Kiganda, 41, the bureau driver were charged with attempt to extort money by threat, alongside Solomon Abaho, 26, the youth trainer.

The suspects were arrested on Wednesday under the orders of State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) head, Lt.Col. Edith Nakalema.

Police investigations indicate that the suspects allegedly demanded Pearl Dairy Farms Limited sh800m, accusing it of selling expired milk, which is against the laws of the land. The money was meant to get the company off the hook.

Today, the accused appeared before Grade One Magistrate Fiona Angura and denied the charges.

They were charged under section 291 (1) b of the Penal Code Act. The offence attracts a maximum sentence of 14-years imprisonment, on conviction.

Prosecution led by Christine Apolot alleges that the trio and others still at large, on May 28, 2020, with intent to extort money, threatened to accuse the management of Pearl Dairy Farms Limited Banda outlet in Nakawa Division, Kampala district of selling lato milk, which is noxious or is in a state unfit for human consumption.

Apolot informed court that inquiries in the matter are still ongoing and requested court to adjourn the case to another date for mention.

Bail

The lawyers of the accused told court that they have instructions from their clients to apply for bail under Section 75 and 77 of the Magistrates Courts Act.

"I pray court allows the accused to apply for bail pending hearing of the matter since the state submitted that investigations are incomplete," defence lawyer William Kyobe requested.

However, the magistrate directed the accused to be remanded to Kitalya Prison, pending allocation of the file to magistrate designated by the Chief Magistrate, who was not present in court.

"You will apply for bail before the right magistrate next week," the magistrate said.

She, therefore, adjourned the case to July 30, when the suspects are expected to return to court for hearing of their bail application.