Kerry Howard Mwesigwa
Two former employees of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) are set to go on trial on June 5 at the Kololo Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala. The case centers around accusations of financial fraud amounting to sh11.8 billion. Engineer Gilbert Kibuuka and supply officer John Mbidde, the accused individuals, will appear before Chief Magistrate Joan Aciro.
According to the prosecution, John Mbidde, who served as a supply officer at UNRA between October and November 2019, allegedly issued fraudulent goods received notes on behalf of Luna’s Enterprises Limited. The notes falsely indicated that the company had delivered guardrails and related accessories worth sh11.8 billion to UNRA. Similarly, the prosecution alleges that Gilbert Kibuuka, employed as a road maintenance engineer during the same period, signed two different goods received notes confirming the receipt of guardrails and accessories from Luna’s Enterprises Limited, with a stated value of sh11.8 billion.
In addition to Kibuuka and Mbidde, Richard Ssenkungu, the general manager, and Alex Lutaaya, the company director of Luna’s Enterprises Limited, also face charges. The prosecution claims that between June and October 2020, they conspired to defraud UNRA of sh4 billion in Kampala and Mpigi district. All the accused individuals have pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
The trial is scheduled to commence with a scheduling conference, during which the defense lawyer, prosecutor, and presiding judicial officer will engage in discussions regarding various aspects of the case, including the admissible evidence. This preliminary stage aims to streamline the trial process and identify any uncontested evidence.
If found guilty of causing financial loss, as stipulated by Section (20) (1) of the Anti-Corruption Court Act, the defendants could face a maximum fine of sh4.8 million or a prison term of up to 14 years, or both. Additionally, the offense of conspiracy, under Section 390 of the Penal Code Act, carries a potential prison sentence of seven years upon conviction.
The trial holds immense significance as it addresses allegations of financial impropriety within UNRA, a critical government institution entrusted with the development of road infrastructure in Uganda.
