The Constitutional Court has dismissed a petition filed by former Vice President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya challenging his trial on charges of fraud.
Prof. Bukenya faces charges of abuse of office arising from a procurement deal for vehicles and motor bikes, ahead of the 2007 Common Wealth Heads of Government Meeting.
He is accused of breaching procurement procedures, causing the government a 6billion shillings loss.
Bukenya had gone to Court seeking on order declaring his trial illegal arguing that he could not be held accountable for decisions taken at collective level by the cabinet sub-committee.
The judges ruled that the IGG has indicated that other ministers will also face trial over CHOGM transactions and over ruled his plea on collective responsibility.
Five judges led by the Deputy Chief Justice Alice Mpagi Bahigeine have ruled that Bukenya cannot escape prosecution and dismissed his efforts to challenge the powers of Acting IGG Raphael Bakku.
The Court held that Bakku as former Deputy IGG has full powers to prefer charges against any one. Bukenya had argued that Bakku does not hold the position of IGG substantively and lacks powers to prefer charges.
The Public Relations Officer of the IGG Ali Munira says they will soon be liaising with the courts to ensure that a hearing date is set for the trail to continue.
Story by Ruth Anderah
