KAMPALA — Public outrage erupted Tuesday after the Director of Public Prosecutions unexpectedly withdrew high-profile corruption charges against three scandal-hit members of Parliament, effectively ending the case overnight.
The sudden move to drop the prosecution of Yusuf Mutembuli, Paul Akamba and Cissy Namujju Dionizia was confirmed in a formal notice of nolle prosequi. The document, signed by Lino Anguzu on behalf of the DPP, informed the High Court that the government would no longer pursue the criminal proceedings against the trio.
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The lawmakers had been facing charges under the Anti-Corruption Act of 2009, but the DPP’s filing did not disclose any reason for the decision to abandon the trial.
While the notice brings an immediate end to this specific case, the legal saga for Akamba continues. He remains a central figure in a separate multi-billion shilling fraud investigation.
In that ongoing matter, Akamba is accused of conspiring with former trade ministry permanent secretary Geraldine Ssali and other legislators to defraud the government of 3.4 billion shillings. The money was intended as compensation for war victims associated with the Buyaka Growers Co-operative Society.
The overnight collapse of the case against the three MPs has fueled skepticism regarding the state’s willingness to hold powerful officials accountable for graft.
