Kabafunzaki’s co-accused apologises over bribe

On trial. Suspended Labour minister Herbert Kabafunzaki. FILE PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • Mr Kabafunzaki is jointly charged with Mr Mugabo and Mr Bruce Lubowa, an interior designer, who is currently admitted to Butabika hospital.
  • Video extracts obtained from Kampala Serena Hotel’s CCTV camera footage that captured the alleged bribery acts of April 8 last year showed how Mr Mugabo hid the Shs5m bribe under a carpet behind curtains in the corridors leading to the guest rooms.

The personal assistant to suspended Labour State minister Herbert Kabafunzaki and co-accused in the Shs5m bribe case has apologised to court over his role in the scheme.
Mr Brian Mugabo, in his May 7 letter to the Anti-Corruption Court, said he thought he would make quick money from Aya Group chairman Hamid Mohammed Mohammed.
“I wish to sincerely apologise for asking for money and receiving the same from Aya. I thought I would make quick money out of the complainant [Mr Hamid] but my actions have landed me into problems and I regret. I wish to take personal responsibility and avoid wasting court’s time,” Mr Mugabo’s letter, sent through his lawyers of Ochieng Associated Advocates, reads in part.

“I am kindly asking that I be allowed to plea bargain on this matter,” he adds.
Mr Kabafunzaki is accused of receiving the bribe from the Aya Group chairman in exchange of clearing his name over the sexual harassment allegations that had been brought against him by his former female employee at the then Hilton Hotel last year.

Charges
Mr Kabafunzaki is jointly charged with Mr Mugabo and Mr Bruce Lubowa, an interior designer, who is currently admitted to Butabika hospital.
In his apology letter, Mr Mugabo adds: “I know I had earlier pleaded guilty but when I read the charges again, I changed because it was saying I had asked for money on behalf of others yet I had asked for the money on my own and hid it myself, which I regret.”

Video extracts obtained from Kampala Serena Hotel’s CCTV camera footage that captured the alleged bribery acts of April 8 last year showed how Mr Mugabo hid the Shs5m bribe under a carpet behind curtains in the corridors leading to the guest rooms. However, the video footage did not show Minister Kabafunzaki receiving the said bribe from Mr Hamid.
Further hearing of this matter is scheduled for early next month before presiding judge Margaret Tibulya.