Ex Mulago Hospital ED Dr. Baterana Applies For Bail
- Baterena argued that he was of advanced age of 61 and has poor health.
- Bail is a constitutional right until proven guilty.
The former Mulago referral Hospital Executive Director. Dr. Byarugaba Baterana has applied for bail before the Anti Corruption corruption court after spending five days at Luzira maximum prison.
In his bail application, Baterena argued that he was of advanced age of 61 and poor health on top of bail being constitutional right until proven guilty.
He presented surities including among others: MPs. Norman Ocero of Kabwora county and Buhaguzi County MP, Aceera Steven, his brother Dr.Baterana Gitimous and Personal friend Dr Kitikiriza Gideon.
He is charged with corruption and abuse of office charges in relation to the misappropriation of over 6.3bn Ugandan shillings over irregular payments. His co-accused include: Kataha Edward, who was the Head Engineering department , Nyeko Ponsiano chief accountant, senior accountant Mwasa Charles, Senior Mulago Hospital administrator Wafula Kenneth , senior procurement officers; Okware Christopher and Adah Kamucunguzi.
Others are Directors and shareholders of Setramaco International Ltd Robert Wasike and Catherine Winfred Nabwire who are accused of using their company to invoice Mulago National Referral Hospital for payments of non-existent autoclaves (sterilization equipment ) and other non-executed works .
Prosecution states that between financial years 2015/ 2016 , 2016 / 2017 and 2019 / 2020 , Dr. Byarugaba and other eight Mulago hospital officials being authorised users of the integrated Financial Management System and in Abuse of their respective offices flouted both public procurement and payment procedures by approving payments to Setramaco International company for supplies, routine servicing and repair works of hospital machines which were never executed.
They are said to have paid 3.6bn shillings for alleged consumables of non-existence autoclaves ( sterilization equipment), an alleged 1.5 billion shillings for the routine servicing of autoclaves without following procedures governerning public payments.
They are further said to have irregularly paid 1.7 billion shillings to Setramaco International for relocation and installation of a Multi-Ironer , relocation of steam cooking pans from lower to Upper Mulago and supply of Molten blankets yet the same activities had already been paid for by Mulago National Referral Hospital.