The former Executice Director Mulago Referral Hospital Dr.Byarugaba Baterana has been granted bail by the Anti-Corruption Court.
Grade one magistrate Albert Asiimwe has temporarily released him on a cash bail of 10 million shillings on grounds of poor health and having presented substantial sureties.
He has been ordered to deposit his passport with court and barred from traveling outside the country without informing court first.
His sureties were his brother Dr.Gitimous Baterena, personal friend, Gideon. Kitikiriza and MP Norman Ocero.
These entered a non cash bond of 100m shillings and tasked to ensure that he returns to court whenever needed.
He was released with seven of his co-accused including the former Hospital Engineer and Head Engineering department Kataha Edward, Head accounts Nyeko Ponsiano, senior accountant Mwasa Charles , the former Senior Mulago Hospital administrator Wafula Kenneth , senior procurement officers; Okware Christopher and Adah Kamucunguzi .
These are charged with corruption and abuse of office in relation to the misappropriation of over 6.3bn Ugandan shillings in irregular payments.
Prosecution states that between financial years 2015/ 2016 , 2016 / 2017 and 2019 / 2020 , Dr. Byarugaba and other 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 ( sterlization equipment), an alleged 1.5 billion shillings for the routine serving of autoclaves without following procedures governing public payments.
It is further alleged that they 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. They will return to Court on the 5th of August 2024.
