DPP seeks arrest of lawyers in Shs7bn cooperatives fraud
John Matovu and Fred Makada, senior partners at Matovu and Matovu Advocates and Makada and Makada Advocates, respectively, have failed to appear in court to answer charges of theft alongside other suspects in the case.
KAMPALA | The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has asked the Anti-Corruption Court to issue warrants for arrest of two prominent lawyers implicated in the embezzlement of billions of shillings belonging to the Busoga Growers Cooperative Union.
John Matovu and Fred Makada, senior partners at Matovu and Matovu Advocates and Makada and Makada Advocates, respectively, have failed to appear in court to answer charges of theft alongside other suspects in the case.
The duo, along with Jinja District Commercial Officer James Muganza and Cooperative Chairman Charles Basoga, are accused of pillaging over Shs7 billion from the cooperative.
While Muganza and Basoga have already been charged and remanded to prison, former Uganda Law Society boss Matovu and Makada have repeatedly defied court summons.
State Attorney Stanley Baine told the Anti-Corruption Court that despite serving summons, the lawyers have remained evasive.
He argued that issuing arrest warrants is necessary to compel their attendance in court.
The defense lawyers for the accused, however, claimed that their clients were indisposed and requested more time to produce them.
However, the prosecution dismissed these claims as lacking evidence.
Magistrate Abert Asiimwe extended the criminal summons for Matovu and Makada, warning that failure to appear at the next hearing on August 12 will result in their arrest.
The case has sparked public outrage, with many calling for tough penalties for those involved in the theft of funds meant to benefit farmers.
It also highlights the growing concern over the misuse of cooperative funds by officials.
This is the second high-profile case involving the theft of cooperative funds to be heard by the Anti-Corruption Court in recent months.
The first case, involving three MPs, a lawyer, a permanent secretary, and a trade official, has already been committed to the High Court for trial.
