Ministers Sam Kutesa and John Nasasira on Thursday drove government vehicles to the anti corruption court where they are scheduled to answer charges of abuse of office and causing government a financial loss of 14 billion shillings.
This comes just a day after they were supposed to have resigned their cabinet potfolios. The two, together with their cabinet colleague Mwesigwa Rukutana announced their resignation from cabinet on Wednesday to pave way for the law to take its course.
The ministers said that they decided to quit in the interest of the party and the government.
Kutesa, who until Wednesday was minister of foreign affairs, arrived at court driving in his Land Cruiser registration number UG 0059X, while chief whip John Nasasira drove UG 0333Z.
A URN reporter says the courtroom is filled to capacity and some of the prominent faces in the room include controversial senior presidential advisor on media John Nagenda, deputy prime minister Gen. Moses Ali, former minister Hope Mwesigye and electoral commission secretary Sam Rwakoojo. Also at court, is city businessman Patrick Bitature.
Irene Akwankwasa, the chief magistrate of the anti corruption court last week issued criminal summons against the ministers after Sarah Birungi, the head of prosecution Inspectorate of Government presented a charge sheet for the suspects before the anti corruption court. The trio is wanted for abuse of office and causing government a financial loss of 14 billion shillings.
The charge sheet shows that on December 17, 2005, while at Speke Resort Munyonyo, the trio abused their authority when they acted prejudicial to the interests of government. It is alleged that the trio irregularly convened a consultative sub committee on behalf of the Cabinet Sub Committee on CHOGM. During the said meeting, the trio decided that government would fund the construction of drives ways, parking areas and Marinas at Munyonyo Speke hotel without authorization.
It is alleged that the officials irregularly committed government to fund the construction at shillings 14 billion, well knowing that such a commitment would cause a financial loss.
The trial of the trio, will bring to four the number of senior government officials facing trial for the abuse of CHOGM funds. In May 2011, the Inspectorate of Government dragged Gilbert Bukenya, the former Vice president before the anti corruption court to face trial for abuse of CHOGM funds. Bukenya was committed to High Court and remanded to Luzira Prisons last week, before being granted bail on Tuesday.
