Monday, 23 March 2015

Uganda: State - Why Bantariza Is Guilty

In final arguments on March 18, prosecution spent time trying to convince the General Court Martial that Col Shaban Bantariza, the former director of the National Leadership Institute (NALI), Kyankwanzi, is guilty of defrauding the state of Shs 67m and should be convicted by the seven-member panel chaired by Maj Gen Levi Karuhanga.
Prosecution claimed that on February 3, 2011, at Akamba (U) Ltd, Old Port Bell road, Col Bantariza received a tractor, an Itmo type registration No UAN 652Z, and its accessories donated to NALI by the ministry of Finance, and instead purported to have purchased it at Shs 67m. SIRAJE LUBWAMA recorded the proceedings and below are excerpts.
Kanduho: My lords, I am Frank Kanduho representing the accused. My colleague, Lt Ambrose Baguma is for the state. The matter is coming up for final submissions and we are ready to proceed.
Baguma: The accused who was formerly the Commandant/Director NALI was arraigned before this court on 2nd July 2013. The charge sheet was later amended on 3rd October 2013 and the accused pleaded not guilty on all seven counts. On 16th February, five of the counts were dismissed and the accused was found with a case to answer in respect to two counts.
Count one: other fraudulent charges, and three: offences in relation to documents. My lord chairman and honourable members, we shall confine our submissions to count one, and leave count three to the determination of court in light of the available evidence on court record. Read more

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