Nabagesera convicted over fraud

The presidential legal advisor, Catherine Naava Nabagesera has been convicted and sentenced to a fine of 1.4m Shillings by Buganda Road court for falsely obtaining over 7m Shillings from 14 people.

Her defense lawyer, John Matovu told journalists that he intends to appeal to the High Court against the conviction and sentenced imposed on Nabagesera by Buganda Road court Chief magistrate.

The Chief magistrate, Margaret Tibulya who passed judgment and sentence to the case noted that Nabagesera was to serve 12 months in jail on failure to pay the fine. However, by mid –day, Nabagesera through her friends had paid the fine to the Uganda Revenue Authority bank account based in the Orient Bank in Kampala..

Nabagesera who was released from court cells following payment of the fine, is also to compensate the 14 complainants with the money in question, According to another order issued by Tibulya

Court acquitted Nabagesera's co- accused, Moses Nsubuga Sempebwa of the offense on grounds that he was a mere employee of the presidential legal advisor who did not what her boss was doing..

Turning to prosecution evidence , Tibulya observed that in the year, 2004 Nabagesera through the mass media passed advertisements relating to a program in which she promised to get employment in the United Kingdom for Ugandans..

The magistrate explained that Nabagesera through the adverts further assured Ugandans that the program was initiated by the State House and recommended by President Museveni.

Tibulya added that the complainants approached Nabagesera at the Raja Chambers along parliamentary avenue where she received money from them between the years, 2004 and 2005.

She said among the 14 complainants were, Suraya Nantongo, Goretti Nantongo,Steven Seremba,Rogers Mugabi, George Mukiibi and Salima Nambafu from whom Nabagesera falsely received money to process them work permits, certificates of good conduct purportedly issued by Uganda Police.

Tibulya said Nabagesera assured complainants of getting odd jobs while others hoped to work as nurses in the United Kingdom by December, 2005. The chief magistrate observed Nabagesera abandoned Raja chambers and went into hiding after realizing she could not get jobs for the complainants.

Tibulya in her remarks said Nabagesera demonstrated high level of dishonesty by cheating illiterate and desperate citizens of this country. She noted that there was clear evidence that the State House and President Museveni never had any role in Nabagesera's fake program

She added that evidence provided by the British High Commission in Kampala stipulates that there were no private companies in the United Kingdom which linked with Nabagesera in the purported program