Three Members of Parliament and a lawyer were on Friday charged in the Anti-Corruption Court with conspiracy to defraud and diversion of public resources in connection with 7.3 billion shillings that was meant for compensation of Buyaka Growers Cooperatives Society Limited.
The charges were allegedly committed between 2019 and 2023.
They are Igara East MP Michael Mawanda, Elgon County MP Mudimi Wamakuyu, and Busiki County MP Paul Akamba and a lawyer, Julius Kirya Taitankoko.
The group was remanded until July 9 as the State conducts more inquiries.
Prosecution alleges that Mawanda in October 2021, in Kampala diverted public funds amounting to 1,50,000,000 shillings for purposes unrelated to that for which the resources were intended, while Wanakuyu and Akamba diverted 2.3 Billion Shillings and 200 million shillings respectively for their benefit. Kirya allegedly diverted 2.2 billion shillings.
The suspects also conspired to defraud 3.4 billion shillings meant for the Buyaka Cooperative Society.
They were arrested by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, headed by Brigadier General Henry Isoke.
Hundreds of Patriotic League of Uganda -PLU supporters led by PLU Secretary General David Kabanda who is Kasambya County Member of Parliament, camped at the court premises donning t-shirts with the image of Mawanda and General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. Mawanda is the Chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee in PLU.
There was also heavy deployment of security personnel in and outside the court premises. However, people wearing t-shirts were not allowed to enter the court premises.