Dr. Byarugaba Baterana Bonaventura, the former Executive Director of Mulago National Referral Hospital, has been arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court and remanded on charges related to the alleged irregular payment of billions of Shillings.
Dr. Baterana, along with several former hospital employees and directors of private companies Setramaco International Limited and Convention World Limited, face serious accusations of corruption.
Accused Parties
The accused parties include:
– Dr. Byarugaba Baterana Bonaventura: Former Executive Director of Mulago National Referral Hospital.
– Eng. Edward Kataha: Former Senior Hospital Engineer and Head of the Engineering Department at Mulago National Referral Hospital.
– Kenneth Wafula: Former Senior Hospital Administrator.
– Christopher Okware: Former Senior Procurement Officer and Head of the Procurement and Disposal Unit.
– Adah Kamucunguzi: Former Procurement Officer.
– Robert Wasike and Catherine Winfred Nabwire: Shareholders and Directors of Setramaco International Limited and Convention World Limited.
Criminal Summons Issued
The court has also issued criminal summons for:
– Ponziano Nyeko: Former Assistant Commissioner of Accounts and Head of the Accounts Section.
– Charles Mwasa: Former Senior Accountant.
– Perezi Batanda: Assistant Engineer in Bugema Village along Mbale – Tororo Road.
Charges and Court Proceedings
Dr. Baterana and the others face charges of abuse of office and causing financial loss due to contested payments amounting to hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ money. They have all denied the charges against them.
During the court session on June 19, State Attorney Mr. Raymond Mugisa requested an adjournment, indicating that only a few inquiries into the matter remain.
Presiding Magistrate Mr. Abert Asiimwe decided to remand the suspects, noting that it was too late to consider their bail applications, despite the bailable nature of the charges.
“I have jurisdiction to take this bail. Each accused has to present two sureties making it 14, prosecution has to respond in rejoinder if any. I cannot entertain a bail application now. Preparing the documentation of each accused as a pass to prison will take hours. Humanly speaking, it’s not practical. We know the value you have in you; you have caused transformation to this country. Am giving you a short adjournment to even prepare yourselves,” Mr. Asiimwe said.
The magistrate also ordered the prison authorities to provide necessary medical treatment to Dr. Baterana, who was reported to be ill, and the other suspects. The hearing for the bail application was adjourned to June 24.
Detailed Prosecution Case
Irregular Payments
The prosecution alleges that during 2019 and 2020, Dr. Baterana, Nyeko, and Mwasa, as authorized users of the Integrated Financial Management System at Mulago Hospital, abused their authority by irregularly processing payments of over Shs3 billion to Setramaco International Limited.
These payments were purportedly for the supply of consumables for sterilization equipment that never existed at the hospital, causing financial loss to their employer.
Procurement Procedure Violations
Eng. Edward Kataha and Christopher Okware are accused of irregularly requisitioning Shs3 billion for Setramaco International Limited without following established public procurement procedures.
Similarly, during the financial years 2015/16 and 2016/17, Robert Wasike and Catherine Winfred Nabwire allegedly invoiced the hospital for Shs3 billion for non-existent autoclaves.
Multiple Charges and Duplicate Payments
The state contends that in 2019 and 2020, Dr. Baterana, Nyeko, and Mwasa processed payments of Shs1.581 billion to Setramaco International Limited without proper procedures.
The money was received by Nabwire and Wasike based on fictitious invoices and non-executed works.
During 2016/17, Adah Kamucunguzi allegedly awarded a contract worth Shs7.543 billion to Setramaco International Limited without following procurement procedures, causing financial loss.
Kenneth Wafula and Christopher Okware also awarded a Shs196.6 million contract for relocating and reinstalling a Multi-ironer without due process.
From 2016/17 to 2019/20, the accused, including Dr. Baterana, Eng. Kataha, Nyeko, Wafula, Okware, Kamucunguzi, and Matanda, allegedly caused multiple payments amounting to Shs774,277,860 for duplicate relocation and reinstallation works, which were already paid for. The money was received by Wasike and Nabwire.
Misallocation of Contracts
In 2017/18, Christopher Okware and Adah Kamucunguzi allegedly irregularly awarded a contract worth Shs179.5 million for the procurement of Molten Blankets, Guiding Tapes, and Conveyor Belt to Convention World Limited.
The same contract was awarded in 2019 to Setramaco International Limited at a cost of Shs186.9 million, and the money was received by Wasike and Nabwire.
In 2016/17, Dr. Baterana, Wafula, Okware, and Kamucunguzi awarded a Shs196.6 million contract for relocating steam cooking pans.
The same contract was awarded again in January 2019, causing double payments for no work done.
These payments were made to both Setramaco International Limited and Convention World Limited through their directors.
The case against Dr. Baterana and his co-accused reveals a complex web of corruption involving irregular payments, procurement procedure violations, and duplicate contracts.
The court proceedings and subsequent investigations will be crucial in determining the extent of their involvement and the financial impact on Mulago National Referral Hospital.
The bail application hearing set for June 24 will be the next significant development in this ongoing legal saga.
