Akankwasa’s witnesses to testify mid next month

Kampala

The Anti-Corruption Court yesterday set June 17 for witnesses to testify in a case where the former executive director of the National Forestry Authority (NFA), Mr Damian Akankwasa, is accused of fraud.

The magistrate, Mr Micheal Lagara, set the date for the witnesses to testify on behalf of Mr Akankwasa, who is charged with causing financial loss of Shs760 million to the forest body.

The court’s decision was prompted by Mr Akankwasa’s lawyer who said his client had high blood pressure. “The accused person is not in court because he has a problem of high blood pressure and is doing exams,” Mr Anthonny Ahimbisibwe said adding that: “The sickness explains why he (Akankwasa) could not get in touch with the witnesses.”

Prosecution alleges that Mr Akankwasa between the months of June and July in 2009, disposed of M/S Reserve, at a lower price without following the proper disposal procedures under the PPDA Act and regulations and the National Forest and Trees Planting Act, an act that was prejudicial to the interests of NFA.

Allegations
It is also alleged that in the same months, Mr Akankwasa unlawfully disposed of 40,000 cubic meters of Eucalyptus trees at Lendu Central Forest reserve to M/S Nile Plywood (U) Ltd at Shs46,000 per cubic meter instead of the set price of Shs 65,000 per cubic meter “knowing or with reason to believe that such action would cause financial loss of Shs760 million to NFA”.

While giving his defence last month in the absence of his lawyer, Mr Akankwasa denied the allegations describing them as ‘malicious’. “The evidence brought against me is full of contradictions. Some of those witnesses did not know the law we (NFA management) were applying,” Mr Akankwasa said, adding that the motive was “to ruin his career”.

Court also heard that the Forest Act does not refer to the Public Procurement and Disposal Act (PPDA). “When giving licences, we follow the Forest Act and not PPDA Act,” Mr Akankwasa said.

The same court ordered him to defend himself over illicit enrichment, where prosecution alleges that he is in possession of a house being constructed on Plot 10 at St. Balikuddembe Road in Naguru. Prosecution said that the house is worth Shs560 million which is not commensurate with Akankwasa’s income.

jkigongo@ug.nationmedia.com