Breaking down the 69 fresh charges against Kazinda

In June last year, Justice David Wangutusi handed Geoffrey Kazinda, the former principal accountant in the Office of the Prime Minister, five years in jail for abuse of office, two years for forgery and another two years for unlawful possession of government stores.

This arose from the 29 charges that were slapped against him for withdrawing money worth millions of shillings from government coffers.

Others in the case include, Ms Beatrice Kezabu (assistant resettlement officer) who is also charged with false accounting, Ms Shamim Masembe, the proprietor and sole signatory of Total Fuel Station Ntinda and businessman Hussein Katumwa, the station manager.

Mr Kazinda is still facing charges of abuse of office, embezzlement, causing financial loss of more than Shs316 million and diversion of public resources.

However, recently, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) sanctioned 69 new charges against Kazinda in connection with theft of donor aid meant for northern Uganda and Karamoja.

The new charges relate to the misappropriation of more than Shs5.4b meant for post-war reconstruction in northern Uganda and Karamoja sub-regions under the Peace, Recovery and Development Plan (PRDP).

Kazinda is also charged along with former Finance ministry officials: Wilbert Okello (principal system analyst), David Mugisha (senior economist) and Bright Atwine (senior account).

Originally, the four accused were charged with diversion of public resources, abuse of office and conspiracy to defraud.

Charges for forgery and causing financial loss

[Below is the breakdown of the dates in which the former principal accountant in the OPM forged then Permanent Secretary Pius Bigirimana’s signature and security papers, leading to loss of billions of shillings.]

1. December 4, 5, 9 2011
Amount lost: Shs.57.5 million.
2. December 4, 5, 7, 2011
Amount lost: Shs94.6 million
3. December 5, 2011
Amount lost. Shs.98 million
4.December 5, 2011
Amount lost: Shs81.2 million
5. December 8, 2011
Amount lost: Shs96.7 million
6. December 7, 8, 13, 2011
Amount lost: Shs1.5 billion
7. December 9, 2011
Amount lost: Shs.96.4 million
8. Between December 18 and 23, 2011
Amount lost: Shs764.8 million
9. Between December 18 and 23, 2011
Amount lost: Shs96.4 million
10. About February 2012
Amount lost: Shs45 million
11. About February 2012
Amount lost: Shs98.2 million
12. On or about February 1, 2, 8, 2012
Amount lost: Shs59.5 m
13. February 1, 2,8, 2012
Amount lost: Shs91.4 m
14. Between February 5 and 9, 1012
Amount lost: Shs30 million
15. February 10, 2012
Amount lost: Shs56.5 million
16. February 15, 2012
Amount lost: Shs96.4 million
17. Between February 14 and 17, 2012
Amount lost: Shs526 million
18. Between February 16 and 21, 2012
Amount lost: Shs97.9 million
19. Between February 16 and 21, 2012
Amount lost: Shs100 million
20. Between February 16 and 23, 2012
Amount lost: Shs100 million
21. Between February 21 and 28, 2012
Amount lost: Shs95 million
22. Between February 21 and 25, 2012
Amount lost: Shs96.4 million
23. On or about February 5, 2012
Amount lost: Shs96.4 million
24. On or about February 10, 2012
Amount lost: Shs.98.5 million
25. Between January 9 and 13, 2012
Amount: Shs96.4 million
26. Between January 24 and 29, 2012
Amount lost: Shs86 million
27. Between January 24 and 28
Amount lost: Shs64.6 million
28. Between January 26 and 31, 2012
Amount lost: Shs526 million
29. Between February 1 and 4, 2012
Amount: Shs286.6 million
30. Between February 1 and 4, 2012
Amount lost: Shs47.7 million
31. Between February 1 and 4, 2012
Amount lost: Shs95.5 million