Interdicted Permanent Secretary to defend self on bicycles

The interdicted Local government PS is accused with five others for the botched purchased of 70,000 bicycles.

Interdicted Local Government Permanent Secretary John Muhanguzi Kashaka is today expected to defend himself in connection with the bungled procurement of 70,000 bicycles for LC1 chairpersons.

About a month ago, Anti-Corruption Court Judge Catherine Bamugemireire asked Mr Kashaka and five others to defend themselves after prosecution adduced sufficient evidence against them.

The six are accused of abusing their offices when they allegedly signed a final contract with Amman Industrial Tools and Equipment Ltd for delivery of 70,000 bicycles, without contacting the Contracts Committee.
About Shs4.2 billion is alleged to have been paid to the supply firm but no bicycles have been delivered to date.

The judge in her ruling of ‘no case to answer’ gave each of the accused three options on how they should defend themselves.
The options included giving a sworn defence, unsworn defence or remaining silent.

The judge also informed the accused that they had a right to call their witnesses to defend them if they wished so.
The suspects are today expected to inform court on how they are to give their defence.

Some of the accused face a separate charge of neglect of duty, charges they deny.

awesaka@ug.nationmedia.com