Three key officials from Kaliro district local government are set to face charges related to money laundering and causing financial loss amounting to sh5.8 billion. The accused individuals, Godfrey Mutome (chief finance officer), John Wabwire (senior accountant), and Rebecca Kwagala (human resource officer), are scheduled to appear before Justice Lawrence Gidudu at the Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court on Monday, January 8.
The allegations suggest that between October 2014 and July 2022, while holding their respective positions at Kaliro district local government, the accused orchestrated the transfer and withdrawal of sh5.8 billion from the Kaliro civil servants’ SACCO account, falsely claiming it as a loan deduction.
The prosecution, led by the Inspectorate of Government, asserts that the accused engaged in money laundering by disguising the funds as salary and loan transactions, knowing well that the money constituted proceeds of a criminal activity.
Having been granted bail in June of the previous year by Justice Gidudu, the accused officials face serious legal consequences. The Chief Magistrate’s Court lacked jurisdiction over the offense of money laundering, leading to the case being escalated to the Anti-Corruption Court.
Justice Gidudu set specific bail conditions, directing Mutome to pay a cash bail of sh10 million, while Wabwire and Kwagala were each required to execute a cash bail of sh20 million. The charges carry significant penalties, with a person convicted of causing financial loss facing a fine not exceeding sh4.8 million or imprisonment of up to 14 years under Section (20) (1) of the Anti-Corruption Court Act. Similarly, under Section 3 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, a person convicted of money laundering may face imprisonment for 15 years or a fine not exceeding sh2 billion.
