The Anti-Corruption Court has issued criminal summons against Busiki County MP Paul Akamba for failing to appear in court.
The summons were issued by Patrick Talisuna, the acting assistant registrar of the High Court, on behalf of the trial judge, Jane Okuo Kajuga. The case was scheduled for mention.
Last year, MP Akamba petitioned the court, claiming his human rights were violated during and after his arrest.
According to the prosecution, between 2019 and 2023, Elgon County MP Mudimi Wamakuyu, Leonard Kavundira (Assistant Registrar of Cooperatives in the Ministry of Trade), Mawanda, Akamba, and Kirya conspired to defraud Shs 7.3 billion meant for compensating Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society Limited.
The prosecution further alleges that in October 2021, Mawanda diverted Shs 1.05 billion in public funds to unrelated purposes. Akamba and Wamakuyu allegedly misappropriated Shs 2.3 billion and Shs 200 million, respectively, while Kirya is accused of diverting Shs 2.2 billion. In total, the suspects are accused of conspiring to defraud Shs 3.4 billion meant for the Buyaka Cooperative Society.
Last year, the state minister for trade, Harriet Ntababazi, revealed that up to 30 legislators were under criminal investigation for their alleged involvement in the embezzlement of Shs 164 billion intended for cooperative society compensation.
According to a report submitted by Parliament to the CID and the Inspectorate of Government for further investigation, only two MPs—Elgon County MP Mudimi Wamakuyu and Igara East MP Michael Mawanda—were initially slated for questioning. Former Kyankwanzi District Woman MP Anne Maria Nankabirwa was also named as a target.
In the 2011/2012 financial year, the Ugandan government allocated Shs 164 billion to compensate cooperative societies that suffered losses during wars between 1979 and 2006. However, the disbursement of these funds has been marred by irregularities, with several MPs and government officials accused of embezzling the money.
