A principle engineer with the Ministry of Works and Transport and a Senior Community Development Officer in Luweero District have been remanded over illicit enrichment, contrary to section 31(1) (b) and section 31(2) of the Anti-Corruption Act 2009.
Omar Katongole – also a Station Engineer at Uganda National Roads Authority and Hawah Sengendo alias Bitone, who appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court grade one Magistrate Moses Nabende on Tuesday July 9 are also charged with money laundering.
They were arrested on Monday by operatives from the office of Inspector General of Government early this week.
Katongole is accused of owning properties worth Shs6.2billion yet his known income and sources of income and assets, between 2008 and 2015 were worth Shs316million.
The said properties are comprised in Block 26 Plots 280, 281and 282 located in Mengo as well as Block 11 Plots 587 and 826 Kibuga at Kabowa. Also, Katongole is said to own an untitled piece of land at Lusaka Zone, Makindye, Block 180 Plots 677, 877, 1395 and 1782 Kyadondo, Block 260 Plots 722 and 45 Kyadondo at Ziranumbu.
Under money laundering, the IGG says Katongole transferred several properties to Darkins Uganda Ltd ‘knowing or having reason to believe that such properties are proceeds of crime.’
“Contrary to Sections 3(a), 116 and 136 (1) (a) Of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (as amended in 2017): Katongole Omar on August 25, 2015, in Kampala District for purposes of disguising the illicit origin of properties comprised in Block 180 Plots 1395, 1782, 677 and 877 land at Wakiso transferred the said properties to Darkins Uganda Ltd knowing or having reason to believe that such properties are proceeds of crime,” a statement from the IGG’s office released on Monday reads in part.
“…between 3rd and 7th September 2015, in Kampala District for purposes of disguising the illicit origin of properties comprised in Block 26 Plots 280, 281, and 282 land at Mengo transferred the said properties to Darkins Uganda Ltd”.
With the help of Bitone, the duo deposited total sum of Shs2,849,545,000 on account No.0010102561, Tropical Bank Ltd. main branch in Kampala between April 4, 2011 to August 6, 2015 for purpose of concealing or disguising the illicit origin of funds, knowing or having reasons to believe that the said funds were proceeds of crime.
The duo also used the same jointly owned account to deposit Shs380,000,000 on June 27, 2015. The money was later withdrawn and banked on account No.0100017148 owned by Bitone at Tropical Bank, Main Branch.
Bitone is also accused of depositing a total sum of Shs466,000,000 on account No.0100017148, Tropical Bank for purpose of concealing or disguising the illicit origin of funds
The duo were however, not allowed to take plea because the magistrate’s court does not have powers to try cases involving such huge sums of money and will reappear in court on July 24..
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