The former business manager and head of public access at telecommunications giant MTN Uganda has been charged with embezzlement and remanded to Luzira prison until the 29th April.
Richard Mwami who is accused of stealing over Shs5bn was charged yesterday and remanded to Luzira prison by the Anti-corruption Chief Magistrate Irene Akankwasa.
“Given the large sums of money involved, bail is hereby denied,” Akankwasa said. He was jointly charged with; Joan Nabugwawo a former cashier, Brian Okurut a former revenue assurance analyst, Angella Ayo an assistant revenue assurance analyst, Eriya Baryamwijuka also revenue assurance analyst, Edrisa Serunkuuma and Sauda Nakimbugwe.
The group was charged with three counts of embezzling over Shs5.5bn, corrupt neglect of duty and conspiracy to defraud MTN of the said sum. Mwami tried to apply for bail, but Akankwasa declined granting it.
The offences were committed between June and December 2011 at MTN offices in Kampala. His lawyers David Mpanga and Macdosman Kabega had presented three sureties including Sam Mutambo a sergion at Case clinic, Robert Kisubi and Joseph Bagabo the head of human resource at Barclays Bank Uganda Ltd and head of Cricket fraternity.
The prosecutor Paul Lakid asked court to impose stringent terms on him including depositing his passport. He had objected to the bail application on grounds that the sums of money involved were big and could easily be used to jeopardize police investigation and Akankwasa agreed with him.
The same court also committed nine people including a cleaner, accused of stealing mobile money, to the high court.
Serunkuuma Edrisa, Matovu Henry, Seguja Daniel Magombe Joseph, Nasejje Mary, Irene Kawuma, Kulaba Josua, Peter Ayebare and Jerome Okecho Jackcher were committed to high court after the prosecution found enough evidence against them. Mwami’s case was adjourned to April 29 for mention and criminal summons were issued against Nakimbugwe.
