Court Remands Rukiga District Environment Officer Over Fraud
July 27, 2023
The Anti-Corruption Court on July 26, 2023 remanded the Rukiga district senior environment officer, Mr. Byaruhanga John for alleged fraud.
Mr. Byaruhanga took plea before HW Esther Asiimwe.
According to the charge sheet signed by Deputy IGG, Dr. Patricia Achan Okiria, between 2019 and 2021, Mr. Byaruhanga John, being a senior environment officer in Rukiga district, caused financial loss to the district by irregularly collecting timber movement revenue contrary to section 20(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2009 as amended.
Mr. Byaruhanga is also accused of forgery, contrary to Section 342, 345 and 349 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 120.
For instance, he, among other forgeries, made a false Rukiga District Local Government Forest Product Ticket No. 023 of UGX514, 000 dated December 12, 2020.
He pleaded not guilty on all counts and was remanded till August 14, 2023 when his bail application will be considered.