Kampala, (UG):- The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has remanded Basoga Charles, the Chairperson of Busoga Growers Cooperative Union to Luzira Prison on Charges of causing financial loss and conspiracy to defraud the government of over Shs4billion.
Basoga is charged together with 56-year-old District Commercial Officer James Muganza, two advocates John Matovu (aged 62) and working with M/S Matovu & Matovu plus 55-year-old Fred Makada of Makada & Makada Advocates.
The court presided by Senior Magistrate Abert Asiimwe on Monday, July 22, heard that the accused and others still at large between 2018 and 2023 conspired and defrauded over Shs4 billion meant for war loss compensation by the Government of Uganda to Busoga Growers Cooperative Union.
The accused denied the charge of abuse of office and conspiracy and was subsequently remanded to Luzira government prison until 1st August 2024 for further mention of his case.
Court also issued criminal summons against Muganza, Matovu and Makada to appear in court and have their charges read to them.
Prosecution states that between 2018 and 2023 in Kampala and Jinja districts, being employed as a District Commercial Officer, Jinja District Local Government and chairperson of Basoga Growers Cooperative Union, in abuse of authority of his employer, Muganza did an arbitrary act, prejudicial to the interest of his employer to wit, received Shs250million funds meant for war compensation to Busoga Growers Cooperative Union while Basoga received over Shs569million.
It is further alleged that Muganza and Basoga put the said money to his personal use knowing or having reason to believe that such act would cause financial loss to Busoga Growers Cooperative Union.
On the two counts of theft by agent that the two lawyers separately face, prosecution states that while being entrusted as advocates for Busoga Growers Cooperative Union to pursue war loss compensation claim from government, Matovu between 2018 and 2023 stole Shs4,051,500,000 while Makada stole Shs 1,210,000,000 meant for war loss compensation.
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Prosecution also contends that Muganza, Matovu and Basoga and others still at large conspired to defraud Shs4,051,500,000 meant for war loss compensation to Busoga Growers Cooperatives.
The cooperatives’ war loss compensation has landed many government officials including the recently arrested and committed to the high court for trial, the Permanent Secretary (PS) Ministry of Trade, Industries and Cooperatives, Geraldine Ssali Busuulwa.
Busuulwa was last week charged alongside three Members of Parliament; Michael Mawanda (Igara East), Ignatius Mudimi Wamakuyu (Elgon County) and Paul Akamba (Busiki County) alongside lawyer Julius Taitankoko Kirya and Leonard Kavundira, the Principal Cooperative Officer from Trade Ministry.
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