Busoga Growers Cooperative Union Chairperson, Charles Basoga, has been remanded to prison by the anti-corruption commission for causing financial loss and a conspiracy to defraud the government of over Shs 4 billion.

Basoga was arraigned before the anti-graft court on Monday by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit together with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) of the Uganda Police Force and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The accusations detail that between 2018 and 2023, Basoga, along with other individuals who remain at large, orchestrated a scheme to misappropriate over Shs 4 billion, which was earmarked as war loss compensation by the government for the Busoga Growers Cooperative Union. 

“The accused and others still at large between 2018 and 2023 conspired and defrauded over UGX 4 billion meant for war loss compensation by @GovUganda to Busoga Growers Cooperative Union. He has been remanded until August 1, 2024,” said the State House Anti-Corruption Unit.

The list of leaders who are behind bars for misappropriation of money meant for war loss compensation by government cooperatives is growing.

Basoga joins three lawmakers and Trade Ministry Permanent Secretary Geraldine Ssali, who were arrested and charged with the same offense.

Three days ago, Ssali, three Members of Parliament, a trade ministry official, and a lawyer were committed to High Court for trial and remanded to Luzira Prison over charges of abuse of office, causing financial loss, conspiracy to defraud, and money laundering.

The lawmakers, who include Michael Mawanda Maranga, Mudiimi Wamakuyu, Paul Akamba, Lawyer Julius Kirya Taitankonko, and Leonard Kavundira, a Ministry of Trade official, had earlier been charged with the diversion of over Shs 3.4 billion meant for war loss compensation by the government to Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society.

The DPP, however, amended the charge sheet and added new charges, including money laundering—a charge triable only by the High Court.

The three Members of Parliament, along with two additional accused individuals, faced initial charges for abuse of office, causing financial loss, and conspiracy to defraud over two weeks ago and were at the stage of being granted bail. 

However, the introduction of new alternative charges, including money laundering, complicated their legal situation. Due to these new charges, they must now submit a fresh application for bail before the High Court’s Anti-Corruption Division, effectively restarting the bail process.