Gavi case: Muhwezi, Kamugisha set free but Mukula has case
Mr Muhwezi (R) speaks to journalists after he was acquitted by the Anti-Corruption Court yesterday. Listening are Labour minister Mwesigwa Rukutana (C) and co-accused Mike Mukula (L). PHOTO BY faiswal kasirye
What you need to know:
Although Muhwezi and Dr Kamugisha have been let off the hook, Soroti Municipality MP Mike Mukula still has a case to answer albeit charges of abuse of office and causing financial loss were dropped.
KAMPALA
The Anti-Corruption Court yesterday acquitted and discharged two of the three former health ministers accused of mismanaging Shs1.6 billion meant for the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi).
Chief Magistrate Irene Akankwasa acquitted Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi and Dr Alex Kamugisha over charges of causing financial loss, abuse of office and embezzlement, citing no incriminating evidence by the prosecution.
However, the same court ordered Capt. Mike Mukula to defend himself by explaining the whereabouts of Shs210 million that he received from the Gavi account for purposes of youth and women advocacy in the office of the First Lady.
Ms Akankwasa explained that there was sufficient evidence adduced by the IGG that Capt. Mukula received Shs263m from the Gavi fund account for purposes of promoting advocacy but only accounted for Shs53m.
“Prosecution witness 7 (Muhammed Kezaala, then PS) testified that an individual who receives money, must account for it. In the circumstances, I find that a prima facie case has been made out and A2 (Mukula) should account for the money he received,” ruled the magistrate.
Capt. Mukula was jointly charged with Maj Gen. Muhwezi over embezzlement. However, Ms Akankwasa while letting Muhwezi off the hook on this count noted that there was no evidence on record that he received the money in question.
Shortly after the ruling, Capt. Mukula, who is Soroti Municipality MP, said he was relieved since the ‘bigger’ charge had been dropped. “I am happy that the main charge of abuse of office has been dropped and what is left is a simple one,” said Capt. Mukula who was in company of his wife Gladys and lawyer Fred Muwema.
Ready for case
He added: “I am ready to explain the whereabouts of Shs210m since I returned it to Bank of Uganda. Muhwezi, the former PS and the undersecretary are my witnesses plus some officials from Bank of Uganda.” Capt. Mukula now faces only one charge of embezzlement after charges of abuse of office and causing financial loss were dropped due to lack of incriminating evidence by prosecution.
Court has set September 7 for Mukula to start his defence. His lawyer, Mr Muwema, told court shortly after the ruling that his client intends to give his defence on oath. Earlier while acquitting Maj. Gen Muhwezi and Dr Kamugisha, the magistrate noted that then accounting officer at the Ministry of Health (Muhammed Kezaala), testified in court that he took personal responsibility of all the payments made in regard to Gavi funds and that none of the two former ministers had a hand in the money scam.
A jolly Muhwezi said he was happy the truth had finally come out and has set him free.
