Two city lawyers in Kampala have been ordered to appear in court within three days to face charges of stealing over Shs4.1 billion (about $1.1 million USD) in taxpayer money meant for War Loss Compensation Funds. The money was meant to compensate members of the Busoga Growers Cooperative Union who lost funds during war times.
John Matovu, 62, of M/S Matovu & Matovu Advocates, and Fred Makada, 55, of Makada & Makada Advocates, are accused of theft by agent. Matovu is accused of stealing Shs4,051,500,000 and Makada is accused of stealing Shs1,210,000,000.
The lawyers were entrusted to pursue war loss compensation claims from the government on behalf of the Busoga Growers Cooperative Union. Matovu withdrew an application he had filed seeking to have the charges against him dismissed. He had argued that the charges were false and intended to tarnish his name.
The lawyers are charged alongside two others that are; Charles Basoga, 63, chairperson of Busoga Growers Cooperative Union, and James Muganza, 56, District Commercial Officer. Muganza and Basoga are accused of abusing their positions to receive Shs250 million and over Shs569 million, respectively who conspired with the lawyers to steal the War Loss Compensation Funds.
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It is further alleged that they then used the money for their own personal gain. Basoga and Muganza were granted bail of Shs5 million each. The trial Principal Magistrate, Abert Asiimwe, issued a warning that a warrant of arrest would be issued against Matovu and Makada if they failed to appear in court.
All four men face charges of abuse of office, causing financial loss, theft by agents, and conspiracy to defraud. This happens in a time where President Museveni is so furious on fighting corruption and embezzlement of public funds.
This puts the city lawyers in a state where they are going to face the law roughly and pay back the funds they stole without hesitation.
