MPs Paid Off Personal Debts with Farmers’ Money – ODPP

Two MPs, Michael Muranga Mawanda and Ignatius Wamakuyu Mudimi, have been accused of using cooperative funds to pay off personal debts. Instead of traditional methods of debt repayment like asking family or selling off a few cows, these MPs allegedly dipped into funds meant for cooperative societies, according to the indictment presented by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

Key Allegations Against MPs Mawanda and Mudimi

The saga began in 2021 when Mawanda allegedly received a hefty sum of UGX 1 billion, which was apparently used to pay creditors of Buyaka G.CS Limited. An additional UGX 200 million reportedly went to settle a court dispute. Now, in a country where most people are used to struggling with simple mobile money transfers, this sort of financial maneuvering seems straight out of a James Bond movie.

Mudimi, not to be outdone, allegedly dipped into the cooperative funds to settle an outstanding loan of nearly sh866 million. He even had sh85 million conveniently deposited into his dfcu Bank account. It’s like watching someone win the lottery without even buying a ticket.

These antics were facilitated by their trusted sidekick, lawyer Julius Kirya, who played the role of the “fixer” by allegedly distributing the misappropriated funds on behalf of the MPs. Kirya, alongside the MPs, is now facing charges that would make any Ugandan elder raise an eyebrow in disbelief.

The accusations don’t stop there. Both Mawanda and Mudimi, along with other notable figures, are charged with diverting UGX 3.8 billion from a cooperative funding scheme. This isn’t just any scheme; it’s the kind that’s supposed to help hardworking Ugandan farmers, not fund the lavish lifestyles of MPs.

Trade ministry officials have been dragged into the case. Permanent Secretary Geraldine Busuulwa Ssali, principal co-operative officer Leonard Kavundira, and lawyer Kirya are accused of orchestrating this financial misadventure. Ssali, accused of setting up a parallel verification committee, approved payments without proper documentation, making the entire operation look as shady as a Matooke deal in the back alleys of Nakawa Market.

Key Figures in the Alleged Scandal

The prosecution’s narrative would give any Luganda storyteller a run for their money. They claim that sh200 million found its way into MP Paul Akamba’s account and that Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society was strong-armed into abandoning their chosen lawyers in favor of Kirya’s firm. The cooperative’s chairman was allegedly coerced by Principal Co-operative Officer in the Trade Ministry Leonard Kavundira, who acted like a character straight out of a Ugandan political thriller.

Charges against these officials include abuse of office, causing financial loss, and conspiracy to defraud. If convicted, they could face significant jail time, adding to the long list of political figures who’ve tried their luck with the law and lost.

Potential Penalties for Convictions

The accusations paint a picture of a systemic manipulation of cooperative funds. Ssali is particularly under fire for allegedly introducing Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society into the compensation scheme irregularly. It’s like adding an extra dish to a buffet without anyone noticing – until they do.

Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society, registered in 1949, has seen its fair share of struggles, especially during the liberation war of 1981 to 1986. Claims for compensation were lodged, and funds were supposed to help these societies recover. But instead of relief, it seems these funds were diverted to pay off personal debts.

Timeline of Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society