National
Magistrates sacked over corruption
In Summary
The two magistrates will be disqualified from holding any public office for 10 years.
KAMPALA
Those dismissed include Kisoro District Grade One Magistrate David Kaaye Cheptuke and Jinja Grade Two Magistrate Okitwi Odutu.
The duo was fired from the service basing on section 46 of the Anti-Corruption Court Act. The Act states that a person convicted of an offence under sections 2,3,4 and 25 shall be disqualified from holding a public office for a period of 10 years from the time of his or her conviction.
In a May 8 letter, signed by the secretary JSC, Mr Kagole Kivumbi, Mr Okitwi and Mr Cheptuke had been dismissed from the Judicial service with immediate effect.
The dismissal was initiated by Inspector General of Government Irene Mulyagonja, who wrote to the JSC, recommending their dismissal from the service.
Mr Cheptuke was found guilty by the Anti-Corruption Court of corruptly receiving Shs100,000 from Ms Angela Uweyezu to release her siblings on bail. But being dissatisfied with the conviction and sentence, Mr Cheptuke went to the Court of Appeal. He was, however, unsuccessful as the same Court recently upheld the High Court ruling. He is currently at Luzira prison serving his one year jail term.
Magistrate Okitwi was found guilty of corruptly soliciting and receiving a gratification of Shs200, 000. The money was an inducement to release a suspect who was before his court in 2010. He served his 12-month sentence and was released from prison on August 1, 2012.
awesaka@ug.nationmedia.com
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