By Sania Babirye
The former principle engineer who faked his death 9 years ago to escape charges of causing government a 4.2 billion financial loss over a 70,000 botched local council one bicycles has finally been charged by the anti corruption court.
Robert Kakiza had been indented together with the now convicted and serving a 10 year jail sentence John Muhanguzi the then permanent secretary in the ministry of local government and five others in 2012 but he faked his death until in April this year when he was discovered alive.
Kashaka and his co convicts including former principle accountant Henry Bamutura,former principle procurement officer Mwebaze Robert who is now deceased, Sam Emorutu Erongoti former assistant commissioner for policy and planning, former consultant Timothy Musherure, and Adam Bond Alum a member on the evaluation committee but these had since then being jailed in July 2014 appealed their convictions and sentences and are also out on bail.
In 2012, a death certificate of the purported dead Kakiza was presented to justice Lawrence Gidudu only for him to be arrested in April this year after the statehouse anti corruption unit headed by col.Edith Nakalema arrested him following a tip off from a whistle blower.
He has been charged with abuse of office and an alternative count of corruption.
He has however denied the offenses and his bail already extended by the lower court extended.
The case has now been adjourned to the 18th of September for hearing of his case.
Prosecution states that as a member of the evaluation committee appointed by the minister of local government for procurement of the 70,000 lc1 bicycles, Eng.Kakiza abused his office when he recommended MS an Airtel as having the minimum capacity and experience to supply the said bicycles where as not.
He is also accused of neglecting all his duties by failing to evaluate the said bid.
The said bicycles were to be supplied ahead of the 2011 general elections for political mobilization.