Ethiopian Review

Kampala — Uganda has commenced a number of criminal proceedings following the embezzlement of more than 430 million Euros meant to carry out humanitarian projects in the country.

Helped by the European-based body, European Anti-Fraud Office, and United Kingdom’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO), a new anti-graft division of the Ugandan High Court has been established and two local convictions already achieved.

Action to recover misappropriated funds is also underway.

The criminal justice system is now better equipped to tackle grand corruption cases.

The director of SFO, Richard Alderman, says they are determined to root out corruption that has endangered many lives in Africa.

“It is gratifying to see that corruption, which endangers the lives of some of the most disadvantaged people, is being rooted out. This is a first experience of European agencies combining efforts to aid a country in need,” he said.

The investigations follow allegations that between 2002 and 2005, Uganda misappropriated the Global Fund, leading to suspension of further payments four years ago.

Following the suspension, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni commissioned a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into alleged mismanagement of the Global Fund to fight Aids, tuberculosis and malaria.

But due to the complexity of some cases, the SFO provided assistance on key elements under review.

Findings of the Commission, published in 2006, prompted a Government White Paper, charging the Ugandan Directorate of Public Prosecutions to launch investigations, with the assistance of the Ugandan police, into over 300 cases of suspected misappropriation, fraud, bribery, false accounting and perjury.

- By MARK KAPCHANGA | The East African