Government engineer, wife on trial over illicit wealth

A Government engineer and his wife are facing charges of illicit enrichment, worth sh6.2b, and money laundering.

Justice Jane Okuo of the Anti- Corruption Court in Kololo, Kampala, on Thursday fixed the trial of principal engineer Umar Katongole and his wife, a senior community development officer, Hawa Sengendo alias Kawa Bitone, starting on December 14.

Court fixed the hearing of the case after a senior officer at the Inspectorate of Government (IG), Thomas Okoth, said the inspectorate was ready to present evidence against Katongole and Sengendo.

Okoth told court that the inspectorate will adduce evidence that Katongole's wealth, valued at sh6.2b, is disproportionate to his income past known sources of income and is not commensurate with his salary as a government engineer.

According to the IG, Katongole's assets during the period of 2008 to 2015 were estimated by the Inspectorate to be sh316m.

The IG said that as the then station engineer attached to Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), Katongole owns land comprised in Block 26, Plots 280, 281, and 282 Mengo, valued at sh6b, which is disproportionate with his salary.

According to the IG, Katongole also owns land on Block 260, Plot 722 Kyadondo at Ziranumbu.

He is also a proprietor of Block 11, Plots 587, and 826 Kibuga at Kabowa, untitled land at Lusaka zone Makindye, and Block 180, Plots677, 877, 1395 and1782 Kyadondo.

Laundered money

On the charge of money laundering, it is alleged that Katongole, in August 2015 in Kampala district, concealed the source of his properties comprised in Block 180, Plots 1395, 1782, and 877 land in Wakiso.

Okoth said Katongole transferred the land to Darkins Uganda, knowing the property was proceeds of crime.

The prosecution accuses Sengendo of concealing the transfer of another piece of land on Block 26 Plot 280, 281, and 282 at Mengo to Darkins Uganda. Katongole and  Ssengondo,  between April 2011 and August 2015 at Tropical Bank Ltd, allegedly deposited sh2.8b on bank account  0010102561 and concealed its source,  yet they knew it was proceeds of crime.

The Inspectorate alleged that for purposes of concealing the source of another sh380m, Katongole withdrew the money from account 0010102561 in Tropical Bank Ltd that they owned jointly and transferred it to account number 0100017148 in Tropical Bank Ltd, Kampala main branch to Sengendo's account.

On the last count of money laundering, the prosecution said on July 13, 2015, Sengendo deposited sh466m on account 0200017148 in Tropical Bank Ltd so as to disguise the source of the funds, yet she knew it was a proceed of crime.

Under section 31(2) of the Anti- Corruption Act, any person found in possession of illicitly acquired resources or property commits an offence and is liable,  on conviction,  to a sentence not exceeding 10 years imprisonment or a fine of sh5m or both.

Section (3) (1) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act attracts 15 years imprisonment or a fine not exceeding sh2b. The case was reported by the Financial Intelligence Authority.

Sengendo is also alleged to have disguised the transfer of another piece of land on Block 26, Plot 280, 281, and 282 at Mengo to Darkins Uganda Ltd.

The IG said Katongole and  Sengendo,  between  April 2011 and August 2015, at Tropical Bank Ltd, deposited sh2.8b on account 0010102561 in Tropical Bank and concealed its source,  yet they knew it was proceeds of crime.