The former Vice president Gilbert Bukenya has taken fresh plea over his role in the purchase of vehicles during the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Like in previous times, Bukenya on Friday afternoon denied the charges of abuse of office and fraudulent practice.
The former VP is facing two similar cases of abuse of office, one of which he is accused jointly with Motor Care Uganda Limited, a company he allegedly helped secure a tender to supply 80 BMW vehicles and 1200 Police outrider motor cycles for use during CHOGM. The offences were allegedly committed between July 2006 and November 2007, while Bukenya chaired the cabinet subcommittee on CHOGM.
Bukenya denied the charges and in June this year, he petitioned the constitutional court to block his trial arguing that the charges were wrongly constituted.
On Friday, Justice Catherine Bamugemereire ordered that the hearing begins on 7th November 2011, the date the state will bring its witnesses. The state led by Sydney Asubo told court that 17 witnesses are lined up to prove that the bidding, evaluation and procurement of the BMW vehicles were unlawfully interrupted by the accused. The names of the witnesses were not revealed to court.
Bamugemereire also ordered that both parties remain disciplined before and during the hearing stage. The order followed a complaint by the state that the accused was making comments that are likely to be prejudicial to the trial. The defense team led by MacDusman Kabega, however denied the allegations.
Bukenya will return to court on 7th November for hearing.
