Kazinda Found Guilty Of Embezzling Shs316 Million, Sentenced To Five Years In Prison

Kazinda Found Guilty Of Embezzling Shs316 Million, Sentenced To Five Years In Prison


By Serestino Tusingwire


Justice Lawrence Gidudu of the Anti-Corruption Court has found Geoffrey Kazinda, the former principal accountant in the Office of the Prime Minister, and 3 others guilty of defrauding, embezzling, and conspiring to steal Shs316 million in June 2012.

Kazinda and his junior Beatrice Kezabu are said to have forged accountability of Shs312 million meant for fuel, which investigations revealed was never consumed.

They are said to have conspired with Caltex Ntinda proprietors, Shamim Masembe and Hussein Katuma to sign for fuel worth 316 million shillings which was not consumed.

                                                    Shamim Masembe and Hussein Katuma

However, on her defence, Kezabu who was the assistant settlement officer said she acted on the orders of her boss, Martin Owor, the commissioner in charge of relief supplies in the office of the prime minister. But her boss blamed her of acting behind his backs to forge requisition form.

Shamim Masembe offered blank receipts to Kezaabu and received 316 million shillings on the fuel stations account. She told court that she later withdrew the money and gave it to Kazinda.

Court found the four guilty of embezzlement and conspiracy to defraud government.

While delivering his sentence the judge said that Kazinda who was employed by government to curb theft in the office of Prime Minister later turned into a thief. He convicted Kazinda to five years in prison saying he is the one who initiated the process to defraud the government.

Kezabu was given a non custodial sentence but was fined 50 million shillings for having not protested against her boss’s illegal instructions.

                                                               Kezaabu (R)

Shamim Masembe and Hussein Katuma were also given a non custodial sentence but were asked to each pay 10 million shillings   and were also asked to refund 316 million shillings.

Failure to do so will affect a custodial of three years. All the convicts were also banned from holding a public office for 10 years starting from Wednesday May 31.

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