President Yoweri Museveni has issued a pardon for John Muhanguzi Kashaka, the former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, and Henry Bamutura, the former Principal Accountant. This decision follows their conviction for causing a financial loss of 4.2 billion Ugandan shillings, allocated for the procurement of bicycles for Local Council I chairpersons.

A press release from Moses Ssentalo, Assistant Public Relations Officer for Prisons, states that President Museveni exercised his constitutional powers under Article 21(1)(a) of the Republic of Uganda to grant the pardon. The two officials were convicted by the Anti-Corruption Court in 2014, receiving 10-year sentences for abuse of office.

Background

Kashaka and Bamutura were found guilty by Judge Catherine Bamugemereire for signing a contract with Amman Industrial Tool and Equipment Ltd. for the delivery of 70,000 bicycles without consulting the contracts committee. Despite the payment of 4.2 billion shillings to the supplier, no bicycles were delivered.

This pardon has ignited discussions about accountability and governance in Uganda, particularly regarding the management of public funds and the implications of such decisions on corruption prevention efforts.