The Anti-Corruption Court has remanded Uganda’s Consul General in Mombasa, Kenya, Ambassador Herbert Kiguli, to Luzira Prison over allegations of causing a financial loss of Shs494.1 million to government.
Kiguli, 59, was remanded until Wednesday, October 7, when he is expected to return to court at midday for the hearing of his bail application.
He appeared before Anti-Corruption Court Principal Magistrate Christopher Opit on Monday, where charges of causing financial loss and abuse of office were read and explained to him. He denied the allegations.
The Inspectorate of Government (IG) arrested Kiguli before producing him in court.
Prosecution alleges that on November 9 and 10, 2020, while serving as Commissioner for Human Resource Management at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) in Entebbe, Kiguli originated and signed five requisitions totalling Shs614.8 million on behalf of the principal of Bukalasa Agricultural College.
The Inspectorate of Government alleges that the transactions resulted in a financial loss of Shs494.1 million to government.
According to the prosecution, the money had not been budgeted for or expected by Bukalasa Agricultural College, and there was no valid memorandum of understanding governing its financial relationship with MAAIF at the time.
The funds were reportedly intended to facilitate various MAAIF activities that could not take place because of restrictions imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kiguli’s case comes as the Inspectorate of Government steps up efforts to hold public officials accountable for the management of public resources.
The IG was represented in court by Principal Inspectorate Officer William Moses Ntumwa and Inspectorate Officers Milly Namuwanga and Jennifer Katusiime.
The Inspectorate of Government has reiterated its commitment to protecting public resources and urged public officers to comply with financial regulations while executing their duties.
Kiguli is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court.
