The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala, situated in Nakasero, has delayed its decision regarding an application filed by the former president of the Uganda Netball Federation (UNF) concerning travel to the United States.
Initially slated for May 7, 2024, Principal Magistrate Christopher Opit postponed the ruling after Sarah Kityo indicated that her legal representative was absent.
Magistrate Opit informed Kityo, who faces accusations of fraudulent accounting amounting to 186 million Ugandan shillings, that the court’s decision would be made on May 30.
Kityo, represented by lawyer Joseph Luzige, submitted an application to the court on Friday, May 3, 2024, seeking the return of her passport to enable her to attend a meeting and visit her children in the US, requesting a two-month period.
However, Chief State Attorney Nelly Asiku, representing the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, opposed the application, citing the readiness of the prosecution to proceed with the trial, backed by evidence.
The prosecution alleges that between December and November 2021 at UNF, Kityo and others, who remain at large, engaged in fraudulent activities concerning 186 million shillings provided by the National Council of Sports to the federation for the Pent Series and the African National Championship in Namibia. Kityo has denied these allegations.
She is charged with one count of fraudulent false accounting under Section 23 of the Anti-Corruption Act of 2009, as amended. If convicted, she could face a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment, a fine of 3.7 million shillings, or both. Additionally, individuals found guilty under the Anti-Corruption Act are prohibited from holding public office for a period of 10 years. Kityo is currently out on bail pending trial.
