BY ZALIMON BASIGHALHA (GOOD LUCK)
The Anti-Corruption Court sitting today at Rukoki in Kasese district has set June 12, 2024 as the final day to conclude the hearing of the matter in which the former Kasese District Chief Administrative Officer, Mr. Amis Masereka Asuman and the District Principal Human Resource Officer, Mr. Samson Bihanikire are accused of abuse of office and causing financial loss to government.
Mr. Bihanikire and Mr. Masereka became on the spot on March 15, 2023 when they were arrested by the State House Anti- Corruption Unit and arraigned before the Anti Corruption Court, Kololo in Kampala.
They were then remanded to Luzira Government Prison before they were later released on bail. The duo is accused of irregularly reinstating on government payroll six teachers who had resigned from the teaching service to pursue a career in politics.
Now, Presided over by Her Worship Joan Aciro, the Anti-Corruption Court has for the last two days been recording testimonies from witnesses during cross examination, in its sitting at Rukoki.
The teachers in question include Mr. Samson Bagenda, the former Bwesumbu sub-county chairperson, Mr. Josephat Muhindo, the former Munkunyu sub-county chairperson and Mr. Ezra Turyahebwa, the former Karusandara sub-county chairperson.
The others are Mr. Martin Masereka Balitebya and Mr. Cyprus Baluku, the former sub county chairpersons for Karambi and Lake Katwe respectively and Mr. Moses Sesabyona the former Bukonzo East Parliamentary hopeful.
Their irregular reinstatement on the payroll is said to have cost government over UGX 20 million between 2021 and 2022.
During the cross examination, Mr. Josephat Muhindo, the former Munkunyu sub-county chairperson told the Anti-Corruption Court as a witness that he was reinstated to his position of Head teacher by the District Service Commission after failing to win a third term as a sub-county boss.
Muhindo claimed that he has evidence that the District Executive Committee in one of its meetings had directed the then CAO, Mr. Amis Masereka to reinstate him as a Head teacher before he was eventually posted to Kalingwe Primary School in Kisinga Sub-county.
Mr. Cyprus Baluku, the former Lake Katwe sub-county chairperson also told court that he was equally reinstated as a teacher on February 28, 2022 following a resolution of the District Executive Committee. He was subsequently posted to Kitabu Primary School in the following month.
Messiah Radio could, however, not independently verify if indeed the District Executive Committee chaired by Mr. Eliphaz Muhindi Bukombi, the District Chairperson sanctioned the reinstatement of the said education officers.
Mr. Moses Sesabyona and the Investigative Officer did not turn up to testify in court as it was reported that Mr. Sesabyona is ailing while the Investigating Officer is doing exams.
Her Worship Aciro then set June 12 as the date to conclude hearing the matter before adjourning court which will sit at Kololo in Kampala on the said date. Defence Lawyers David Bwambale Kongolo and Chan Masereka expressed hope that they would win this case when eventually court makes a ruling.
ENDS