CCTV camera didn’t show Kabafunzaki take bribe - witness

Kampala.

A private security officer attached to Kampala Serena Hotel yesterday told the Anti-Corruption Court that he did not see suspended junior Labour minister Herbert Kabafunzaki receive a bribe at the facility upon reviewing the CCTV footage.
Mr Godfrey Okiror, a protective services officer, told court presided over by Justice Margaret Tibulya that he instead saw Mr Kabafunzaki’s aide, Mr Brain Mugabo, hiding the bribe.
“I did not see the minister receive the money, however, I saw Brian Mugabo running in the corridors towards the guest rooms and hiding the same,” Mr Okiror said.
The minister is accused of receiving a Shs5m bribe from Aya Group chairman Hamid Mohammed Mohammed at the hotel in exchange of clearing his name in the media over allegations of sexually harassing his female employees last year.
Mr Okiror’s revelation came after Mr Ronald Oine, one Mr Kabafunzaki’s lawyers, cross-examined the security officer.
Mr Oine also asked Mr Okiror whether upon analysing the CCTV footage, he saw the minister hide the khaki envelope containing the alleged Shs5m bribe.
“No, I did not see him hide the envelope,” he replied.
Mr Okiror told court that he was in the CCTV room with his colleagues when he saw commotion on the first floor of the facility.
Upon rushing to the floor, Mr Okiror said he found plain clothed police officers arresting someone whom he later learnt was Mr Kabafunzaki’s aide.
“When we reached the first floor, we found the police officers searching and turning chairs. They continued the search up to the toilets. They (police officers) took us aside and told us that they were looking for the money given to the minister,” Mr Okiror testified.
The minister is jointly charged with Mr Mugabo and Mr Bruce Lubowa, an interior designer, who has since disappeared.