Kashaka appeals against 10-year jail sentence

Mr John Muhanguzi Kashaka

What you need to know:

Justice Catherine Bamugemereire last week found Kashaka guilty of causing government a financial loss of over $1.7 million (about Shs4.2 billion).

Just four days after he was sentenced to 10 years in jail, former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, John Muhanguzi Kashaka, has appealed against the same.

Through his lawyers Nayanzi, Kiboneka and Mbabazi Advocates, Kashaka, who is currently serving his sentence at Luzira prison, said he is dissatisfied with the whole judgment.

He lodged the appeal before the Court of Appeal in Kampala last evening.

“Take notice that John Muhanguzi Kashaka appeals to the Court of Appeal of Uganda against the decision of Hon Justice Catherine Bamugemereire given at Kampala on July 17, 2014 by which the said Kashaka was convicted of causing financial loss and sentenced to 10 years and 10 days imprisonment and forth ordered to make good for the loss and pay 1/6 of $1.719,454.58 to government of Uganda,” reads Kashaka’s notice of appeal in part

Justice Catherine Bamugemereire last week found Kashaka guilty of causing government a financial loss of over $1.7 million (about Shs4.2 billion).
Mr Kashaka was jointly convicted with five others; Henry Bamutura (former principal accountant), Robert Mwebaze (former principal procurement officer), Mr Sam Emorutu Erongot ( former assistant commissioner policy and planning), Mr Timothy Musherure, (former consultant) and Mr Adam Bond Alum (member evaluation committee).

However, by close of business yesterday, it was only Mr Kashaka who had appealed against the judgment.

His co-convicts still have about 10 more days to appeal in case they felt dissatisfied since the judge had given them 14 days from the date of passing the sentence.

In her judgment last week, the judge observed that Mr Kashaka and Mr Bamutura should have exercised due diligence knowing that by signing a Shs4.2 billion shipping documents with discrepancies would cause government a financial loss.

Further, the judge observed that the firm that was contracted to supply the 70000 bicycles Amman Industrial Tools and Equipment Ltd (Aitel), was a sham company as it was formed five days after an advert was put up in the media seeking for bidders to supply bicycles.