21:40 09.11.2008 | All news from "AIDS/HIV"
Uganda: Anti Graft Court Starts Work in December
The Registrar of this Court, Mr Paul Wolimbwa Gadenya, has confirmed to Daily Monitor that having conducted a survey of corruption cases, the Court is ready to kick off this December.
Mr Gadenya said now that the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) has instituted criminal cases against some individuals who are claimed to have embezzled money from the Global Fund to fight HIV/Aids and Malaria, the Court is likely to start with this cases.
Mr Gadenya said the court already has two judges to hear corruption cases, with Justice John Baptist Katusi as the head and his deputy Justice Paul Mugambe.
"The court team is ready, I have been carrying out a survey in all the courts in this country and corruption matters are less than 250, which can be handled by the team," he said. Mr Gadenya added that the Judiciary is expected to appoint two chief magistrates and four grade one magistrates in addition to the judges.
So far, eight people have already appeared before Buganda Road Court and Rukugiri Magistrates Court over charges of embezzlement while some have been committed to the High Court for trial.
They include among others, the Economic Affairs Director at the Internal Security Organisation, Mr Teddy Ssezi Cheeye, Mr Fred Kuma, the former production manager of UBC, Mr Perez Tumwine, Mr Andrew Musime both managers of Gender and Development Association, a Rukugiri based NGO, and Mr Boaz Tumuhimbize, a businessman.
Other officials who have been summoned over alleged embezzlement include former health ministers, Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi, Capt. Mike Mukula, former State House aide Alice Kaboyo, Ms Winnie Masiko, and Rubabo MP Paula Turyahikayo.http://allafrica.com/