Court sets date for Kabafunzaki trial
Suspended State minister for Labour Herbert Kabafunzaki in court recently. Photo by Abubaker Lubowa
What you need to know:
- Mr Kabafunzaki was arrested at Serena Hotel by police after a tip off by Mr Hamid.
- He is currently out of prison on bail but was suspended from Cabinet to pave way for the investigations and prosecution.
- He faces two counts of corruption and two counts of conspiracy to commit a felony.
KAMPALA. The Anti-Corruption Court yesterday set June 28 to begin hearing the corruption case against suspended State minister for Labour Herbert Kabafunzaki.
The date was set after the State prosecutor Mr Tom Walugembe informed court that investigations into the case were complete.
Subsequently, the minister’s lawyers David Balodemu and Ronald Oine asked the trial Chief Magistrate Agnes Alum to fix the hearing date. They also requested court to order the prosecution to disclose to them all the witness statements and any other evidence they intend to use during the trial to enable them adequately prepare the defence for their client.
Mr Walugembe promised to disclose all the evidence in their possession to the defence lawyers within two weeks.
Mr Kabafunzaki, who also is Rukiga County MP, is charged alongside two others: his political assistant Brian Mugabo, 21, and Bruce Lubowa, 42.
The minister is accused of soliciting and receiving a Shs5m bribe from Aya Group chairman Hamid Mohammed.
The prosecution contends that Kabafunzaki solicited the alleged bribe in order to clear Mr Hamid of allegations of sexually harassing his former female employee at Hilton Hotel.
Mr Kabafunzaki was arrested at Serena Hotel by police after a tip off by Mr Hamid. He is currently out of prison on bail but was suspended from Cabinet to pave way for the investigations and prosecution.
He faces two counts of corruption and two counts of conspiracy to commit a felony.
He denied the charges and counter-claimed political persecution by his rivals in his constituency.
