A businesswoman, Erina Barugahara Wanzala, has been formally charged and arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court over her alleged role in a Shs 983 million fraud scheme involving Iganga Technical Institute.
Wanzala, who serves as Director of Basaam General Merchandise and Supplies Ltd, was presented in court by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU), working jointly with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
She faces charges of conspiracy to commit a felony.
According to the prosecution, between January 2024 and December 2025, Wanzala allegedly conspired with officials from Iganga Technical Institute to fraudulently obtain Shs 983,480,000 from the government institution.
Investigations indicate that the funds were transferred to Wanzala through bank transactions and subsequently withdrawn in installments, with the payments reportedly made under the pretense of procuring food supplies for the institute.
Authorities state that no such supplies were ever delivered during the period in question.
Wanzala’s arraignment follows earlier charges brought against three senior administrators of Iganga Technical Institute, namely David Eliachu (Principal), Benedict Wabwire (Deputy Principal), and Damali Ajuna (Senior Accounts Assistant/Bursar), who had already been charged with abuse of office, embezzlement, and forgery in connection with the same alleged scheme.
Prosecution alleges that the institute officials exploited their positions to bypass established procurement procedures and authorize irregular payments to Basaam General Merchandise and Supplies Ltd under the guise of settling payments for food supplies.
However, investigations revealed that no supplies were delivered, procurement procedures were not followed, and the transactions were irregular and fraudulent in nature.
The case remains under active investigation as authorities continue to examine financial records, procurement documentation, and communication between the accused parties.
All suspects remain in custody pending further court proceedings scheduled for March 31, 2026.
