Luzira doctor summoned over Kazinda’s case

This follows failure by the interdicted principal accountant to appear in court yesterday.

Court yesterday summoned Luzira prison medical personnel to explain why the interdicted Principal Accountant in the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr Geoffrey Kazinda, did not show up in court.

The summons by Anti-Corruption Court Judge David Wangutusi follows the presentation of a medical report by the prison warden that Mr Kazinda was under acute depression and “withdrawn”.

Court order
“The doctor should come to court today and explain more. Let’s be direct when dealing with this because stress is not enough as a reason. We are wasting a lot of time,” Justice Wangutusi said.

Part of the medical report which was signed by Dr Kakoraki read that Kazinda had ‘a soft neck, his words are low and withdrawn’.

Mr Kazinda through his lawyers also filed a bill application, citing poor health.
But the judge said it was difficult to fix a hearing in Mr Kazinda’s absence.
Mr Kazinda is charged with abuse of office, forgery and unlawful possession of government property, charges he pleaded not guilty to.

In a suit he filed before the Constitutional Court in December last year, Mr Kazinda complained that the government’s action against him was discriminative, as his boss PS Pius Bigirimana, had not been charged even though he is the accounting officer. He said the move was a violation of the Constitution.

Failed application
He wanted to block trial in the High Court until the application was disposed of but justice Wangutusi dismissed the application, ruling that there was no justification to stay the proceedings.

According to the charge sheet in the Anti-Corruption Court, Mr Kazinda is accused of forging Mr Bigirimana’s signature, and obtaining computer generated letters addressed to director of banking in the Bank of Uganda and cash withdrawal authorisation forms.

jkigongo@ug.nationmedia.com