Leonard Kavundira, the principal cooperative officer from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives has been remanded to Luzira prison for allegedly conspiring with three legislators and a lawyer to divert more than Shs 3.4 billion of public funds.

Kavundira appeared before grade one magistrate Esther Asiimwe who sat in for trial chief magistrate who was indisposed. Asiimwe read to Kavundira one charge of conspiracy to defraud the government of 3.4 billion that was meant to compensate Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society Limited after the war.

He is jointly charged with four other people; Igara East MP, Michael Mawanda, Elgon County MP, Mudimi Wamakuyu and Busiki County MP, Paul Akamba and city lawyer, Julius Kirya Taitankoko who were remanded last week on related charges. Court heard that the quintet conspired to defraud the government of a total of Shs 7.3 billion between 2019 and 2023. 

According to the breakdown, the prosecution alleges that Mawanda in October 2021, in Kampala diverted public funds amounting to Shs 1.5 billion for purposes unrelated to that for which the resources were intended.

On the other hand, Wamakuyu and Akamba allegedly diverted Shs 2.3 billion and Shs 200 million respectively for their benefit. Kirya allegedly diverted Shs 2.2 billion while Kavundira only appears on the Shs 3.4 billion conspiracy charge.

However, they denied charges and their lawyers were not ready to make bail applications and were accordingly remanded up to July 9 and criminal summons were issued requiring Kavundira to appear in court today which he did.

The prosecution also informed the court that investigations were complete and asked to be given time to share with the defence lawyers the documentary evidence they intend to rely on to pin the accused persons of the crimes against them.