State ordered to give report to Kazinda’s defence team

A court on Friday ordered the government to avail Mr Geoffrey Kazinda’s defence lawyers with the copy of the final report from the handwriting expert in which the interdicted principal accountant is charged with forging signatures.

The decision by Justice David Wangutusi of the Anti-Corruption Court came after Mr Kazinda’s lawyers objected to the submission of the report, saying they were availed with a different copy from the one that was to be used in court.

“We shall look at the final report as the state witness said he was given other documents. It is impossible to amend evidence,” Mr Wangutusi said.
On Thursday, the permanent secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr Pius Bigirimana, testified against Mr Kazinda, explaining how the latter forged his signature to withdraw money worth millions of shillings from government coffers.

The permanent secretary said Mr Kazinda forged his (Bigirimana) signature on security papers of Bank of Uganda and cash withdraw authorisation forms requesting for transfer of funds to his personal accounts.

Different reports
Mr Isaac Walukanga, the accused’s lawyer, argued that the report which was given to them by the state had different content with the one in court.
“The two reports come out on the same date of September 19,2012. How can the state say that the officer who submitted them would be able to explain this?” Mr Walukanga said.

The handwriting expert, Mr Samuel Ezati, the eleventh prosecution witness who was ready to testify against Mr Kazinda, told court that he made two reports after more documents were availed to him when he had finished the first one.

However, the accused’s biological brother, Mr Fredrick Wamala, who is the 10th prosecution witness, confirmed to court that he signed against the search certificate.

Mr Kazinda is charged with abuse of office, forgery and unlawful possession of government property. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The judge adjourned the matter to tomorrow for further hearing.

jkigongo@ug.nationmedia.com