Jofram Waidhuuba, a retired Civil Servant, faced charges of abuse of office and conspiracy to defraud the Jinja Municipal Council of its land at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala.
Presented before Grade One Magistrate Esther Asiimwe on Friday, Waidhuuba was arraigned and charged with two counts related to irregular land transactions during his tenure as the Deputy Clerk at Jinja Municipal Council in 2018.
The court heard that while employed at the Council, Waidhuuba allegedly signed and issued Transfer Forms to God Will Agencies Limited for the transfer of land, which belonged to the Council. Prosecutors stated that Waidhuuba’s actions constituted an abuse of authority and prejudiced the Council’s interests. Additionally, he was accused of conspiring with Isaac Tusiime, the Director of M/S God Will Agencies Limited, who is currently at large.
During the proceedings, State Attorney Gloria Inzikuru informed the Court that investigations were complete but Waidhuuba’s co-accused had not been apprehended. As a result, she requested the court to issue criminal summons against Tusiime.
Waidhuuba, represented by his legal counsel led by Gerald Batanda, denied the charges and sought bail. His legal team argued that the court had the jurisdiction to hear the charges and emphasized his right to apply for bail.
In his bail application, it was highlighted that Waidhuuba, aged 63, resides within the jurisdiction of the Anti-Corruption Court in Jinja and presented his wife and son as sureties, along with a recommendation letter from his personal doctor citing health concerns.
The prosecution objected to bail, citing rules stipulating that sureties should demonstrate financial capacity. Inzikuru questioned the financial standing of the proposed sureties and expressed skepticism about their ability to ensure Waidhuuba’s attendance in court.
Despite the medical concerns raised by Waidhuuba’s doctor, the prosecution asserted that the prison could handle his medical condition if remanded. They recommended stringent terms and a security deposit should the court grant him bail.
In her ruling, Magistrate Asiimwe granted Waidhuuba bail at 3 million Shillings in cash and required each surety to provide 25 million Shillings, not in cash. She deemed the wife and son more substantial sureties but disqualified the daughter-in-law.
The case has been adjourned to November 30th, 2023. Additionally, criminal summons have been issued for businessman Isaac Tusiime to appear and enter a plea on that day.
