UGANDA, Kiboga | Real Muloodi News | The State House Anti-Corruption Unit, in conjunction with Uganda Police Force, have arraigned two officials from Lwamata Town Council in Kiboga District on charges of corruption and bribery.
The accused are Mathias Isabirye, 46, resident of Kigobe-Kapeke in Kiboga who was the former town clerk, and Habib Kirunda Kakaire, 53, a resident of Lufula Cell in Kiboga who is the town finance officer of this council.
On January 5, 2022, the duo were arraigned at the Anti-Corruption Court before trial judge, Moses Nabende. They were read out two counts of corruption and conspiracy to commit a crime. Both pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecution alleges that in the 2018-2019 fiscal year, the pair received over UGX10 million, claiming it was for garbage collection and repairing and restoring roads in the Town council. However, according to the prosecution the services were never delivered, and instead the pair embezzled the funds.
Frustrated locals, particularly business owners who contribute to local tax revenues, are purportedly relieved that action is being taken against officials who through corruption and bribery divert funds away from local services. Local taxes including property rates, ground rents and business licenses, which are essential for funding local services like city planning and management, road construction and maintenance, street lights, sanitation and garbage collection, antimalarial drugs and clean water.
Prosecutor Gertrude Apio said the investigation was complete, so he asked for the trial to begin.
The accused’s lawyer, Nasser Higenyi Badru, petitioned for the pair’s bail. However, Isabirye’s bail counsel had not yet arrived at the time of the hearing.
Therefore, Judge Nabende remanded the pair in custody until next week, at which time the bail application will he heard.
They are remanded until January 12, 2023.
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