Court assessor wants Kazinda jailed over alleged sh4.6b illicit enrichment

COURT|CRIME|FRAUD

A court assessor has recommended that Godfrey Kazinda, the former principal accountant in the Office of the Prime Minister, be convicted for sh4.6b illicit enrichment.

Rehema Babirye said prosecution, led by the director of legal affairs, Sarah Birungi, from the Inspectorate of Government, had proved all the ingredients of illicit enrichment against Kazinda.

However, the court is not bound to pass judgment based on her opinion.

She advised the court to consider evidence of wealth that Kazinda allegedly accumulated, yet he only declared sh83.7m to the Inspectorate of Government.

Also, she said there was evidence that he spent sh210m on rent in the Sheraton Kampala Hotel.

Babirye gave her opinion on Friday at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kololo, Kampala, before Justice Margaret Tibulya. The trial judge summed up the case before Babirye gave her opinion.

The judge noted that Kazinda was not obliged to prove his innocence, but that the burden lies on prosecution to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt.

Charges against Kazinda

Inspectorate of Government (IGG) alleges that Kazinda has amassed wealth estimated at sh4.6b, which is not commensurate with his known income as a civil servant.

The IGG said Kazinda's known income for the period between 2009 and 2012 was established to be sh83.7m.

It is alleged that Kazinda maintained a luxurious standard of living when he rented and occupied Constellation Suits at Nakasero and apartments at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel in Kampala for 10 months, at sh210m.

Kazinda is also accused by the IGG of possessing a house in Bukoto, a city suburb and land situated at Kyadondo Mengo West, valued at sh3.1b.

In another charge, Kazinda is accused of possessing motor vehicles BMW, Mercedes Benz, Dodge Saloon car, Mercedes Benz ML Class estimated at sh769m. He denied the charges.

In August, by a major of 4:1, the Court of Appeal justices said the charge of illicit enrichment against Kazinda still stands.

However, the Court of Appeal acquitted Kazinda of all charges of embezzlement, forgery and unlawful possession of government stores and illegal possession of government documents. He is still on remand in Luzira prison over charges of illicit enrichment.

The judge said judgment would be delivered on November 6.