Kampala, Uganda: The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Lino Anguzu, has sanctioned additional corruption-related charges against nine officials from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, including former Accountant General Lawrence Ssemakula, over the alleged loss of Shs60 billion in public funds.
The fresh charges arise from allegations that the officials failed to institute adequate safeguards to protect government resources, resulting in the fraudulent diversion of funds earmarked for international obligations.
According to the indictment before the Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court Uganda, the money was allegedly misdirected to an entity identified as the International Development Association in Poland, purportedly as payment for a recycling plant system and machinery.
However, prosecutors contend that the intended beneficiary was the International Development Association in Washington DC, and that the diversion caused substantial financial loss to the government.
The prosecution alleges that the accused acted with intent to illicitly benefit the Poland-based entity.
Multiple Charges Filed
The accused face multiple counts, including corruption, causing financial loss, abuse of office, electronic fraud and money laundering.
The new charges add to earlier counts in which the same group, alongside Assistant Commissioner Accounts Pedson Twesigomwe, were accused in connection with the alleged Shs60 billion heist involving the Bank of Uganda.
State prosecutor Richard Birivumbuka informed court that investigations into the matter are complete and applied for the committal of the accused to the High Court for trial.
The Anti-Corruption Court granted the application, committing the nine officials to the High Court’s Anti-Corruption Division.
Those committed include Lawrence Ssemakula, 58, former Accountant General, Jennifer Muhuruzi, 55, Acting Director of Treasury Services and Asset Management, Tonny Yawe, 46, Senior IT Officer, Paul Nkalubo Lumala, 40, Systems IT Officer, Deborah Dorothy Kusiima, 33, Senior Accountant, Judith Ashaba, 43, Accountant, Bettina Nayebare, 31, Research Assistant and Mark Kasiiku, 33, IT Systems Officer.
The case marks a significant development in one of Uganda’s most high-profile public finance scandals in recent years.
Prosecutors maintain that the alleged loss resulted from deliberate neglect of duty and abuse of office by senior officials entrusted with safeguarding public funds.
If convicted, the accused face substantial custodial sentences, as well as potential recovery proceedings aimed at compensating the government for the alleged loss.
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