Three MPs, accused of corruption, stand in the dock as they face charges of soliciting a 20% kickback from the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) chairperson (PHOTO/Henry Jjemba)
KAMPALA – The Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court has granted bail to three members of parliament, Paul Akamba, Yusuf Mutembuli, and Cissy Namujju Dionizza, accused of soliciting a 20% kickback from the chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) in exchange for an increase in her budget.
The three MPs, who have been in custody for 55 days, were ordered to pay a cash bail of Shs 50 million each, deposit their passports in court, and provide nine sureties who will each sign a non-cash bond of Shs 100 million.
“I am aware that currently the country is in a combative mood against corruption. There is awareness among the population about institutions that are suffering under the weight of grand corruption. Going by press and social media reports, the public is now fed up with corruption in public offices. But the court still treats this as allegations,” Justice Lawrence Gidudu said while granting the bail.
The judge emphasized that the MPs’ status as members of parliament, the fact that their trial has already started, and their denial of the charges were key factors in his decision. He also noted that they have credible and traceable sureties who are public figures.
However, MP Akamba will remain in prison due to another corruption charge related to stealing Shs 200 million meant to compensate war victims of the Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society. He has not yet secured bail for this charge.
The case is set to conclude by October 31, with Justice Gidudu warning that “this bail is not meant to frustrate the progress of the case as corruption allegations are treated seriously by court.”
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