The trial of three Ugandan Members of Parliament, charged with corruption, is set to continue on August 8, 2024. The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) chairperson, Mariam Wangadya, who initially testified on August 2, is expected to complete her testimony before the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court in Nakasero, Kampala. The court is presided over by Justice Lawrence Gidudu.
Wangadya is a key witness in the case against MPs Yusuf Mutembuli (Bunyole East), Paul Akamba (Busiki County), and Cissy Namujju (Lwengo). They face allegations of corruption related to an attempt to solicit a bribe from Wangadya. The prosecution claims that on May 13, 2024, at Hotel Africana in Kampala, the MPs sought an undue advantage of 20 percent of the anticipated enhanced budget for the UHRC for the financial year 2024/2025. The MPs allegedly suggested that they could improperly influence the parliamentary budget committee’s decision to increase the UHRC’s budget.
The MPs have denied these charges and were granted bail by the court. The prosecution team is led by Chief Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). The team includes senior state attorneys Terpista Nam, Viola Tusingwire, Joy Khayiyi, and several others, including Mwesigwa Rukutana, Caleb Alaka, Evans Ochieng, Herbert Kidiya, Richard Rugambwa, Brian Rubihayo, Susan Sylvia Wakabala, Geoffrey Ntambirweki, and Edgar Ayebazibwe.
The adjournment of the case until August 8 allows Wangadya to provide additional details crucial to the prosecution’s case.
