KAMPALA – After over three years of hearing the case in which former Works Minister Abraham Byandala together with five other people including former UNRA officials are accused of swindling Shs24 billion that was meant to up-grade Mukono Katosi-Nyenga Road , the Anti-Corruption court has finally set August 29 when it will deliver its final verdict.
The presiding Judge Lawrence Gidudu has announced the date today morning when the case had come up for him to summarise prosecution evidence to the two court assessors.
Assessors are members of the public with no legal knowledge who follow the trial on behalf of the public, but they give their un biding opinion to the trial Judge on whether to convict or acquit an accused .
Mr Byandala is accused, along with five other suspects over their role in the Mukono-Kyetume-Katosi road.
The other accused persons include Mr Berunado Ssebbugga Kimeze former Ag. Executive Director , Joe Ssemugooma former Ag Director Finance and Administration at UNRA, Apolo Senkeeto alias Kalyesubula Mark, businessman, and Mugote Isaac, former Banker, Housing Finance Bank Ltd.
Mr Byandala is accused of irregularly directing the signing of a contract between UNRA and EUTAW Construction Company for the upgrade of Mukono-Katosi-Nyenga road, before due diligence was concluded yet the said company lacked equipment and expertise to do the job.
The Minister is also accused of disobeying lawful orders by the Inspector General of Government Irene Mulyagonja directing him to halt works on the said works, after she discovered that the company which had allegedly won the contract was a sham.
Government is said to have lost more than Shs24.7 billion which was advanced to Eutaw Construction Company for the construction of Katosi road, a company that was later said to be non-existent.
