Govt drops charges against UDB boss

What you need to know:

Ms Patricia Ojangole had appeared in court for the hearing only to be told the DPP had withdrawn charges of victimising a whistle blower against her

KAMPALA

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Mike Chibita, yesterday withdrew charges of victimising a whistleblower against Uganda Development Bank chief executive officer Patricia Ojangole, bringing to an end the one-year protracted legal battle.
The case had come up for its maiden hearing when Mr Rogers Kinobe, a public prosecutor, tendered before the Anti-Corruption Court a legal document called ‘Nolle Prosequi’, requesting that the proceedings against Ms Ojangole be discontinued immediately.
“Take notice that government intends that the proceedings against Patricia Ojangole shall not continue,” the September 15 Nolle Prosequi signed by the DPP, read in part.

To that effect, presiding Judge Paul Mugamba discontinued the charges against Ms Ojangole before discharging her.
Shortly after her discharge, Ms Ojangole welcomed the discontinuation of the case against her.
“I am very happy…. that is all I can say for now,” said Ms Ojangole.
This matter arose on July 29 last year when Ms Ojangole was arrested and jointly charged along with two other bank officials for allegedly victimising Ms Charlotte Mucunguzi, a then bank employee.
Ms Ojangole allegedly dismissed Ms Mucunguzi for disclosing to the Inspectorate of Government about the alleged improper manner in which the UDB board and management were handling a $11.5 million (about Shs30b) loan application by Savannah Commodities Limited.
The discontinuation of the charges against Ms Ojangole comes barely three months after the very court acquitted her of other charges that she was facing for lack of evidence.