THREE senior officials
of the Kagera Cooperative Union (KCU) were on Tuesday arraigned before
the Bukoba Resident Magistrate’s Court here to answer various charges,
including economic sabotage.
The accused in Economic Case No 4/2018
were identified as the former KCU Board Chairman, John Binunshu (83),
former KCU General Manager, Vedasto Ngaiza (76) and former Acting Chief
Accountant, Ms Bestina Rwebangira (60).
Prosecuting, Senior State Attorney (SSA)
Athuman Matuma alleged before Bukoba Resident Magistrate- in-charge, Mr
John Kapokola that on different dates during 2011, the three accused
persons, being employed by the Kagera Cooperative Union (KCU), willfully
caused the Union to suffer a pecuniary loss amounting to 124m/-.
Other offences facing them include misuse
of public office, forgery, misuse of their positions and conspiracy to
commit a felony. Advocate Aaron Kabunga, on behalf of the accused,
strongly contended that the charge sheet was defective, arguing that
economic offences should be separated from criminal offences.
“Your honour, before filing economic
charges before an accused person, the prosecution must obtain permission
from the Director for Public Prosecutions (DPP). This was not properly
followed,” he argued.
He also prayed the court to grant bail to the accused persons, claiming that the offences facing them were bailable.
Magistrate Kapokola adjourned the case
until Monday (Aug 27) morning at 9.00 am when he will give ruling on
bail application. He ordered the accused persons to be remanded in
custody.
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