Christine Guwatudde Kintu
The Anticorruption court has issued Criminal Summons to the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Christine Guwatudde Kintu to appear today for purposes of committing her and three other OPM Officials to the High court for trial on charges of having colluded to commit a fraudulent practice by allegedly inflating prices of food meant for the vulnerable poor under the COVID-19 food relief program.
Presiding Grade One Magistrate Sarah Namusobya Mutebi has issued the summons after Guwatudde’s Lawyer Medard Lubega Ssegona informed court that she is not in good health having been hospitalised at International Hospital Kampala(IHK) on Tuesday where she has been advised to take a rest until today 28th.
However, Prosecution’s James Khaukha told Court that he had instructions from the Director of Public Prosecution(DPP) Jane Frances Abodo to have all the accused persons sent to the High court today for an expeditious trial.
Guwatudde is jointly charged with the Under Secretary-Joel Wanjala, the Commissioner in charge of relief Disaster Preparedness and Head of the covid 19 Relief Management- Martin Owor and the Assistant Commissioner (Head of Procurement and Disposal Unit), Fred Lutimba Kyeyune.
It’s alleged that in abuse of the authority of their respective offices; they prepared and issued an award letter to various companies to supply maize, beans, milk, sugar amounting to Shs32.34bn in total disregard of the procurement procedures.
Fred Lutimba Kyeyune is further alleged to have neglected to perform his duty of advising the contracts committee on procurement procedures which omission amounted to Corruption.
They allegedly committed the Offence between 31st/March and 9th/April/2020 at OPM offices along Sir Apollo Kaggwa road.
They have since denied the allegation.
