Abraham Byandala (C) with his co-accused Apollo Senkeeto (R) in court
The Mukono-Katosi road contract in which government reportedly lost Shs 24.7 billion trial has this afternoon taken a mega twist during the ruling where the former minister for Works and Transport Abraham Byandala and his co-accused were found with cases to answer.
Lawrence Gidudu of the Anti-Corruption court revealed that minister Abraham Byandala, has to face charges of abuse of office, disobedience of lawful orders and influence-peddling.
He cites that the embattled minister acted outside his orders where according to the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) act he is only supposed to act on policy matters not technical issues.
His co-accused include; Ssebbugga Kimeze, a former acting executive director of Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA); Joe Ssemugooma, UNRA’s former acting director for finance and administration; and Marvin Baryaruha, the former UNRA legal counsel. Apolo Senkeeto, who introduced himself as the country representative for Eutaw, and Isaac Mugote, a former Housing Finance bank employee, are accused of aiding Eutaw to forge a bid security document used to win the contract.
Though during the trial, prosecution led by Sarah Birungi, the director for Legal Affairs in the Inspectorate of Government’s office presented 23 witnesses. But defence lawyers contend that their clients, who are out on bail, have no case to answer.
However Apollo Senkeeto today brought the session in silence when he asked for security before the case hiring starts to ensure his safety since the information he is to reveal touches high government officials including Politian’s and technocrats who helped him secure the deal and shared the money with him.
However court responded asking him to write a formal request so that they can arrange for him proper security to guarantee his security.
Our sources have already discovered that president Museveni is already having a list of over 45 people involving politicians, technocrats and State House officials who were at the center of the perilous deal.
The formal case hearing is expected to start on 30th October 2017.
