A city businessman finds himself entangled in legal proceedings after being charged with the alleged falsification of documents related to gold transactions. Samuel Kakyada, residing in Busei B, Nakalama Sub-County, Iganga District, appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court in Nakasero, Kampala, on March 4, 2024. Presided over by Grade One Magistrate Esther Asiimwe, the court remanded Kakyada to Luzira Prison until March 6, 2024, due to the absence of suitable sureties.
Represented by Evans Ochieng, Kakyada is expected to seek bail during the next court appearance on March 6, 2024. He is facing charges alongside a Kenyan businessman and former assistant minister, Tarus Stephen Kipkiyeny, who was previously charged on January 19, 2024. Kipkiyeny was released on cash bail of sh10m, with his sureties required to execute a non-cash bail of sh20m.
The charges against Kakyada and Kipkiyeny pertain to the fabrication of false documents under section 203(b) of the East African Community Customs Act, 2004, as amended. Stuart Aheebwa, a legal officer at the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), leads the prosecution’s case. The prosecution alleges that the accused falsified customs documents, specifically receipt number 872 dated January 6, 2024, and invoice CNO/16-494, related to gold bars weighing 13 kilograms.
Furthermore, the prosecution asserts that Kakyada, Kipkiyeny, and accomplices still at large fabricated customs documents falsely claiming that URA issued a receipt and invoice for the aforementioned gold transactions. The accused are accused of misrepresenting a Bill of Lading number as a legitimate document associated with the gold transactions.
Under section 203 of the East African Community Customs Management Act of 2004, if found guilty, Kakyada and Kipkiyeny could face imprisonment for up to three years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 (approximately sh37.7m), or both.
