Byandala has case to answer in Mukono-Katosi road saga

Kampala, Uganda | GODFREY SSALI | The head of the Anti-Corruption Court Justice Lawrence Gidudu has ordered former Works Minister Eng. Abraham Byandala and six others to defend themselves against charges of causing government a Sh24.7 billion loss of funds meant to upgrade the Mukono- Katosi-Nyenga road in 2013.

Justice Gidudu on Monday found a prima-facie case against each of the accused persons basing on the evidence of 23 prosecution witnesses.

Justice Gidudu wants Byandala in particular to explain whether it was a policy directive for him to direct Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) to sign a contract with Eutaw Construction Company, and if so, if that directive laid before parliament and gazetted as required by the UNRA Act.

The judge also wants Byandala to explain the manner and tone he used in the letter he wrote to his junior minister John Byabagambi, while defying the IGG’s directive to have the said works halted.

As for former UNRA Executive Director Eng. Berunado Kimeze Ssebbugga, the judge wants him to explain why he communicated the award and signed the contract in the circumstances where the identity of the contracter and the capacity of the construction company were clearly in question.

Other UNRA officials who also have a case to answer are Joe Ssemugooma, Wilberforce Senjako and Marvin Baryaruha who is accused of having misadvised his employer into signing the said contract with Eutaw construction company before due diligence was carried out on the allegedly suspicious company.

There is also city businessman Apollo Senkeeto who is to defend himself against allegations of theft of sh24.7 bn when he falsely held out as the representative of Eutaw Mississipi, the company that was given the award.

Another suspect is the former Housing Finance Bank official Isaac Mugote who aided Senkeeto to access money from UNRA.

In reply all the accused persons have told court that they will give their defense on oath but Senkeeto asked for security protection on that date because his evidence might be of bad test to people of influence.

Justice Gidudu then adjourned the matter to October 30, 2017 and promised to handle Senkeeto’s request administratively.