KAMPALA- The Anti-corruption court has granted bail to the embattled former Mulago hospital executive director Dr. Byarugaba Baterana Bonaventura and his 7 co-accused persons who were last week remanded to Luzira prison on charges of Abuse of office and causing a 6.3 billion shilling loss to the National Referral Hospital.
Dr. Baterana was remanded on 19th June for conspiring with other Mulago hospital officials to cause the multi-billion loss through irregular and double payments to supplier companies.
The accused who deny the charges, applied for bail and today grade one magistrate Abert Asiimwe has granted their application after finding their sureties substantial.
After observing that Dr. Baterana is sickly having been discharged from Kampala hospital a day before his court arraignment, Magistrate Asiimwe ordered him to pay cash 10m shillings.
Dr. Baterana has also been ordered to deposit his passport with court and further orders not to travel out of Uganda without notifying the court.
Dr. Baterana’s sureties including his personal Doctor Gideon Kitikiriza, his brother Dr. Gitimous Baterana , 2 legislators; Norman Ocero MP for Labwora County in Abim District and Aceera Steven of Buhaguzi County have each been bonded at 100m shillings not cash to ensure that he returns to court for trial.
His seven co-suspects have also each been released on cash bail terms ranging from 4 to 10 million shillings.
Presiding Magistrate said that the varying bail terms have depended on the positions they held while still working at Mulago hospital but they have each been cautioned not to interfere with on-going investigations and state witnesses as this will lead to the automatic cancellation of bail.
Dr. Byarugaba is jointly charged alongside 9 other people including the former Hospital Engineer Kataha Edward, Head accounts Nyeko Ponsiano, senior accountant Mwasa Charles, the former Senior Mulago Hospital administrator Wafula Kenneth, and senior procurement officers; Okware Christopher and Adah Kamucunguzi.
Others charged are the Directors of Setramaco International Ltd Robert Wasike and Catherine Winfred Nabwire who allegedly used their company to invoice Mulago Hospital for payments of non-existent sterilization equipment and other non-executed works.