ACQUITTED: John Nasasira, Sam Kutesa and Mwesigwa Rukutana. Photo by Joseph Kiggundu
Anti-corruption court acquits Uganda ministers of Shs14 Billion Chogm money
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Anti+corruption+court+acquits+Nasasira++Kutesa++Rukutana/-/688334/1615896/-/5vvk7r/-/index.html
By Anthony Wesaka
Posted Friday, November 9 2012 at 11:41
Posted Friday, November 9 2012 at 11:41
Justice Paul Mugamba, the head of the Anti-Corruption Court said prosecution had failed to make its case against the three ministers.
The ministers are Mr Sam Kutesa (Foreign Affairs), Mr John Nasasira (Gender labor and social development , OPM) and Mr Mwesigwa Rukutana (State, Labour).
Justice Mugamba noted that lately, it has become fashionable by government bodies like the Inspectorate of Government to present weak cases before courts when they cannot secure conviction.
He said such cases waste time, resources and they erode the credibility of prosecution agencies.
“Clearly, the evidence assembled by the prosecution cuts no ice. It shows nowhere that the accused persons are culpable,” ruled the judge, Justice Mugamba said.
He said no prema facie case has been made out against the accused. In the premises, all the accused persons have case to answer and I accordingly, acquit them.
He said: “Of course, we must deal with them but under what cost? it is costly in time, resources and credibility. I argue that care be taken to avoid sending wrong signals as such would lead to sapping of the fight against corruption.”
In victory mood, the ministers who braved the early morning rain and accompanied by their family members and friends, hugged to celebrate the victory.
Mr Kutesa said: “Truth has triumphed over lies and intrigue.”
On the other hand, Mr Sydney Asubo who has been the lead prosecutor said they would make a decision on the way forward.
Prosecution alleged that the ministers while performing their duties, in abuse of authority, irregularly convened a consultative cabinet meeting on behalf of the cabinet subcommittee of Chogm and decided that the government would fully fund the construction cost of the drive ways, parking areas and marina at Speke Resort Munyonyo hotel, which decision caused the government a loss of Sh14 billion.
The Hotel owned by tycoon business man Sudhir Ruparelia, was among the hotels to accommodate the visiting Presidents who were to attend the Chogm summit.
Members of the Civil Society organisation demonstrating. . Photo by Francis Emorut
Civil society launches campaign
against corruption
Publish Date: Nov 13, 2012
The Civil Society on Monday launched a campaign against corruption which they said would go on until Government takes action on corrupt public officials.
Representative s of various civil society organizations converged at Uganda Manufacturing Association Hall in Nakawa dressed in black T-shirts wielding placards with anti-corruption slogans.
Leading the group, Irene Ovonji-Odida from Action Aid International Board of Trustees, said wearing black symbolized they had started mourning and mobilizing citizens to rise up against the evil of corruption.
“This is just the beginning. We shall mobilise all the citizens to rise up against the glaring rate of theft of our public funds. In this campaign, we shall sensitize the citizens about the dangers of corruption and encourage them to shun the corrupt including their businesses,” Ovonji said.
As Ovonji was speaking, those who were carrying placards kept shouting names of high ranking public officials they want to resign over corruption allegations.
They cited corruption scandals like ghost students in UPE, GAVI fund, CHOGM, Temangalo, ghost soldiers, Global Fund, KCCA, Office of the Prime Minister and Police as some of cases Government has not handled to the satisfaction of citizens.
They appealed to all NGOs in the country who detest the level of theft of public funds to express their dissatisfaction against Government on corruption by closing their offices every first Monday of the month and join public protests against the vice.
The group also indicated they would gather ideas from various citizens from which they would write a special letter to President Museveni to take stern action on corruption.
In the action they outlined, they demanded that all officials accused of corruption should be relieved of their duties, face trial and punishment, their property be confiscated to recover what they stole, and an apology from Government for failing to fight corruption.
Their planned procession in different parts of the city was however blocked by the Police.
“We cannot allow it to go on because they did not notify us. This is a national cause which all of us should support but they need to re-organize it and work with Police,” said Kampala Metropolitan commander Andrew Kawesi.
Sophie Kyagulanyi, the Governance coordinator for Action Aid International, said: “This is no longer corruption but broad light day theft of billions of shillings. We applaud the 9th parliament for fighting corruption.”
