Five Post Bank bosses stand trial in Shs4b fraud case
Post Bank Uganda officials, including the managing director, Mr Stephen Mukweli (2nd right), appear at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala. They are charged with abuse of office and causing financial loss.
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They appeared before Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga at the Kololo-based court for the hearing of prosecution evidence
Kampala- The Anti-Corruption Court yesterday started the trial of five interdicted senior officials of Post Bank Uganda accused of fraudulently processing payment of more than Shs3.6b.
The suspects include bank managing director Stephen Mukweli, former executive director in charge of ICT Safina Wabuna, head of IT David Mwesige, general manager of Finance Jackson Mwesigwa and finance manager Emmanuel Mwaka.
They appeared before Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga at the Kololo-based court for the hearing of prosecution evidence.
They are charged with abuse of office in paying more than Shs3.6 billion to computer firm, Compulynx Uganda Limited, for supply of an e-suite banking system in violation of the payment structure stipulated in the contract for procurement of the equipment signed in October 2017.
Two senior bank officials; Mr Albert Barekye, the general manager for operations and company secretary Ms Justine Wabwire testified against the accused persons.
Mr Barekye told court that he chaired the contracts committee for the procurement of the digital system for the bank but the equipment was not delivered.
Ms Wabwire told court that although the contract was signed, she is not aware whether the system was delivered to the bank.
Justice Kajuga directed the prosecution to present the contract documents to enable the accused persons follow Ms Wabwire’s evidence.
Prosecution states that on March 27, 2018, at Post Bank in Kampala, Mr Mukweli employed as the managing director approved payment of Shs2.8b to Compulynx Uganda Limited for supply of an e-suite banking system in disregard of the payment structure stipulated in the procurement contract.
It is further stated that on March 26, Ms Wabuna approved the payment that Mr Mwesige requisitioned while Mr Mwesigwa effected it.
According to the charge sheet, on December 19, 2018. Mr Mwesige requisitioned for Shs848m and on December 31, Mr Mwaka okayed the payment.
Prosecution states that the payment of Shs2.8b and Shs848m was part of the Shs5.7b which was meant for procurement of the digital banking solution which was never executed.
