Court to make ruling on Kabafunzaki case today

Former State minister for Labour Herbert Kabafunzaki (in suit). The Anti-Corruption Court is this morning expected to deliver its judgement to determine his fate. PHOTO/ FILE

What you need to know:

The former minister is accused of accepting a Shs5 million bribe.

The Anti-Corruption Court is this morning expected to deliver its judgment to determine the fate of former junior minister for Labour Herbert Kabafunzaki who is accused of corruption.
Kabafunzaki is accused of receiving a Shs5m bribe from Aya Group chairman Mohammed Hamid to clear his name of sexual harassment allegations that had been brought against him by a former female employee of Hilton Hotel in 2017.

Mr Kabafunzaki faces two counts of corruption contrary to section 2 (a) and 26 of the Anti-Corruption Act 2009 and one count of conspiracy contrary to section 390 of the penal code Act.
The former minister, who was arrested on April 8, 2017, is jointly charged with two others, who include Mr Brian Mugabo, his political assistant, and Mr Bruce Lubowa, an interior designer in Wakiso District.

The judgment is expected to be delivered by Justice Margaret Tibulya, who has been hearing the case.
During the course of the trial, Kabafunzaki reportedly went missing. The presiding judge pushed his wife, Ms Doreen Kabafunzaki, to produce him in court, saying she did not believe that she did not know the whereabouts of her husband.
Justice Tibulya reasoned that Ms Kabafunzaki did not report a matter of a missing person at the nearest police station.

Prosecution
Under the count of corruption, prosecution says on April 8, 2017, while performing his duties as minister at Kampala Serena Hotel, Kabafunzaki directly solicited Shs15m from Mr Hamid as a gratification for clearing his name from allegations of sexual harassment.
In court count two of corruption, the state alleges that on the same day, the minister directly accepted Shs5m as a gratification from Hamid.

In the third count of conspiracy to commit a felony, the State said between April 6 and 8, 2017, Mr Kabafunzaki conspired with Mr Lubowa to solicit a gratification of Shs15m from Hamid.
Mr Mugabo separately, faces a single charge of being an accessory after fact.