Trade Ministry Official Remanded to Luzira Joining MPs in sh3.4bn Court Case

The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala on Monday remanded Leonard Kavundira, the Principal Cooperative Officer from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives to Luzira prison for allegedly conspiring with three legislators and a lawyer to divert more than sh3.4bn.

Kavundira appeared before the Court presided over by Grade One Magistrate Esther Asiimwe who sat in for the trial Chief Magistrate who was indisposed.

Asiimwe then read to Kavundira one charge of conspiracy to defraud the government of sh3.4bn that was meant to compensate Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society Limited after the war.

He is jointly charged with four other people who were remanded last week on related charges. They are: Igara East MP, Michael Mawanda, Elgon County MP, Mudimi Wamakuyu and Busiki County MP, Paul Akamba and City lawyer, Julius Kirya Taitankoko.

The Court heard that Mawanda, Wamakuyu, Akamba, Kirya, and Kavundira conspired to defraud the government of a total of sh7.3bn that were meant for compensation of Buyaka Growers Cooperatives Society Limited in Bulambuli District. The charges were allegedly committed between 2019 and 2023.

According to the breakdown, the prosecution alleges that Mawanda in October 2021, in Kampala diverted public funds amounting to sh1.5bn for purposes unrelated to that for which the resources were intended.

On the other hand, Wamakuyu and Akamba allegedly diverted sh2.3bn and sh200m respectively for their own benefit. Kirya allegedly diverted sh2.2bn, while Kavundira only appears in the sh3.4bn conspiracy.

However, the group denied charges and their lawyers were not ready to make bail applications and they were accordingly remanded up to July 9, 2024 and criminal summons issued required Kavundira to appear in court on Monday, something which he did.

Prosecution also informed the Court that investigations were complete and asked to be given time to share with the defense lawyers the documentary evidence they intend to rely on to pin the accused persons of the crimes against them. Kavundira joined the MPs and lawyer in prison until July 9, 2024.

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