KAMPALA – The High Court has issued an order, halting the trial of Kawempe South MP Mubarak Munyagwa in the Anti- Corruption Court.
The court order issued by High Court Assistant Registrar Joy Kabagye on Monday directed the Attorney General to stay halt the criminal prosecution against Mr Munyagwa until his petition challenging the trial is heard.
“Since the state has conceded to the order presented by the defence lawyers, this case shall be stayed as we wait for the outcome of the main cause that is set to be heard on November 11,” the trial chief magistrate at the Anti-Corruption Court, Ms Pamella Lamunu, ruled on Monday after receiving a copy of the High Court order from Mr Munyagwa’s lawyers.
The High Court order came after prosecution led by Ms Alice Komuhangi Khaukha asked the Anti-Corruption Court to issue a warrant of arrest against Mr Munyagwa for skipping court on several occasions.
Prosecution claims that in December 2014 at Haks Investment Limited, being a Mayor Kawempe Division, Mr Munyagwa solicited for a gratification of Shs100m from Mr Francis Kakumba in exchange for him to exert improper influence over Kawempe Division Urban Concil to nominate Muyanja Isaac (S/O Francis Kavuma) for appointment as a member of Kampala City Land Board representing Kawempe Division.
In count two which is also corruption, Mr Munyagwa in the same year is also accused of receiving the gratification of $ 20000 an evaluate of about Shs73million from Mr Kakumba in exchange for him to exert improper influence over Kawempe Division Urban Council to nominate Isaac Muyanja (S/O Kakumba). He denies all the charges.
