The Anti-Corruption court just sent criminal summons to MP Paul Akamba because he skipped his court date. He faces charges with six others for stealing over 3.4 billion Ugandan shillings. Patrick Talisuna, who works as acting assistant registrar, ran the session instead of Judge Jane Okuo Kajuga. The case involves money meant for Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society Limited.
State attorney Raymond Mugisa told everyone the case waits on a Constitutional court decision about Akamba's application. Akamba claims the state tortured him during custody and wants his rights protected. All his co-accused showed up that day, but Akamba stayed away. This caused prosecutors to ask for criminal summons and a later court date. Defense lawyer Mwesigwa Rukutana, who used to serve as deputy Attorney General, admitted they had no idea when the Constitutional court might decide.
Talisuna picked June 6, 2025, as the next date and ordered Akamba to appear. Akamba stands accused with five other people, including Geraldine Ssali, who worked as permanent secretary in the Trade Ministry. Other accused include MPs Michael Mawanda and Mudimi Wamakuyu, Leonard Kavundira from the Trade Ministry, and lawyer Julius Kirya Taitankoko. Prosecutors say between 2019 and 2023, these six people plotted to steal money that should have gone to farmers in Bulambuli district.
Akamba is currently facing two separate corruption cases. Both cases stopped moving forward because he asked the Constitutional Court to throw out his trial based on torture claims. Last October, Justice Lawrence Gidudu paused another corruption trial in which Akamba and two other MPs were accused. Gidudu sent Akamba's torture complaint to the Constitutional Court but refused to dismiss the corruption charges against him.
The Constitutional court must answer two big legal questions. First, can certain sections of the Human Rights Enforcement Act let a court throw out charges without hearing evidence? Second, does a crime victim have the right to a fair hearing under the Constitution? In the first stopped trial, Akamba allegedly worked with MPs Cissy Namujju Dionizia and Yusuf Mutembuli to demand a 20 percent bribe from the Uganda Human Rights Commission for budget approval.
Through lawyer Jude Byamukama, Akamba claims officials violated his rights when they arrested him again last June after he paid bail. He says they kept him in an unofficial jail for seven days before bringing him back to court on new charges. Police grabbed Akamba outside the courthouse just after he posted 13 million shillings for bail. They charged him along with Mawanda, Wamakuyu, Ssali, Kavundira, and Kirya, who all walk free on bail today.
Akamba paid 98 million shillings total to stay out of jail after spending 60 days locked up. Justice Gidudu refused to stop another corruption case against Akamba about the stolen 3.4 billion shillings. The judge said he lacked the power to tell another judge what to do with a different case. After this decision, Akamba's lawyers filed a new request to dismiss all charges because of torture. This issue sits before the Constitutional court, waiting for their decision.
State attorney Raymond Mugisa told everyone the case waits on a Constitutional court decision about Akamba's application. Akamba claims the state tortured him during custody and wants his rights protected. All his co-accused showed up that day, but Akamba stayed away. This caused prosecutors to ask for criminal summons and a later court date. Defense lawyer Mwesigwa Rukutana, who used to serve as deputy Attorney General, admitted they had no idea when the Constitutional court might decide.
Talisuna picked June 6, 2025, as the next date and ordered Akamba to appear. Akamba stands accused with five other people, including Geraldine Ssali, who worked as permanent secretary in the Trade Ministry. Other accused include MPs Michael Mawanda and Mudimi Wamakuyu, Leonard Kavundira from the Trade Ministry, and lawyer Julius Kirya Taitankoko. Prosecutors say between 2019 and 2023, these six people plotted to steal money that should have gone to farmers in Bulambuli district.
Akamba is currently facing two separate corruption cases. Both cases stopped moving forward because he asked the Constitutional Court to throw out his trial based on torture claims. Last October, Justice Lawrence Gidudu paused another corruption trial in which Akamba and two other MPs were accused. Gidudu sent Akamba's torture complaint to the Constitutional Court but refused to dismiss the corruption charges against him.
The Constitutional court must answer two big legal questions. First, can certain sections of the Human Rights Enforcement Act let a court throw out charges without hearing evidence? Second, does a crime victim have the right to a fair hearing under the Constitution? In the first stopped trial, Akamba allegedly worked with MPs Cissy Namujju Dionizia and Yusuf Mutembuli to demand a 20 percent bribe from the Uganda Human Rights Commission for budget approval.
Through lawyer Jude Byamukama, Akamba claims officials violated his rights when they arrested him again last June after he paid bail. He says they kept him in an unofficial jail for seven days before bringing him back to court on new charges. Police grabbed Akamba outside the courthouse just after he posted 13 million shillings for bail. They charged him along with Mawanda, Wamakuyu, Ssali, Kavundira, and Kirya, who all walk free on bail today.
Akamba paid 98 million shillings total to stay out of jail after spending 60 days locked up. Justice Gidudu refused to stop another corruption case against Akamba about the stolen 3.4 billion shillings. The judge said he lacked the power to tell another judge what to do with a different case. After this decision, Akamba's lawyers filed a new request to dismiss all charges because of torture. This issue sits before the Constitutional court, waiting for their decision.
