Lwamafa, 7 others remanded to Luzira
(L-R) Mr Christopher Obey, Mr David Oloka, Mr Jimmy Lwamafa and Mr Peter Ssajjabi at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala, where they were charged with corruption over the payment of 2,000 ghost pensioners. They were remanded to Luzira prison. STORY P.3 PHOTO BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA
What you need to know:
The group faces charges ranging from causing financial loss, abuse of office and negligence of duty in the pension sector.
Eight senior government officials accused of causing government financial loss of more than Shs165 billion in connection with the creation of 2,605 ghost pensioners and their eventual payment, were yesterday charged before being remanded to Luzira prison.
The group, which appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court Grade One Magistrate, Ms Sarah Langa, denied the charges.
They include, Mr Jimmy Lwamafa, the Permanent Secretary of Public Service, Mr Stephen Kiwanuka Kunsa, director research and development, Mr Christopher Obey, the principal accountant and Mr David Oloka Japians, a senior accounts assistant, all under the ministry.
The officials face corruption charges ranging from causing financial loss, abuse of office, negligence of duty, embezzlement and conspiracy to defraud to theft.
The suspects were remanded until tomorrow when they will be produced for bail application since it was past the official court hours of 5pm.
Summon request
Principal state attorney Jane Abodo asked the court to issue criminal summons for Mr Francis Lubega, 36, the information system analyst in the ministry for not turning up.
According to the charge sheet, Mr Lwamafa and Mr Obey requisitioned for payments of 2,605 false pension beneficiaries.
The offence was allegedly committed between October 2009 and September 2012.
Court also heard that Mr Obey together with Mr Oloka, allegedly stole $87,434 (about Shs173 million), which they had access to by virtue of their employment.
The money in question was allegedly requisitioned from Cairo Bank upon making drafts for payment for nine false Kenyan foreign pensioners, knowing that it would cause financial loss.
The prosecution also alleges that Mr Kiwanuka, the commissioner Public Service, allegedly neglected his duties by omitting to ensure that the performance plans systems and procedures are adhered to, in operations of the department, knowing that the move would cause the government a financial loss of Shs165 billion.
