NAGRIC Officials Charged in Court Over UGX 1.3Bn Fraudulent Procurement of Animal Semen

Four out of 10 Officials of National Animal Generic Resource Centre and Data Bank(NAGRIC) implicated in the 1.3billion shs financial loss arising from a fraudulent procurement of Animal Semen; have been charged before the Anticorruption court.

The four are jointly charged with NAGRIC Executive Director Dr. Charles Lagu and Procurement Officer Mukani Ezekiel Phillip(who were not present in court) for Abuse of Office, Causing Government a Financial Loss of 1.3bn shs and Colluding to commit a fraudulent practice.

Dr. Lagu and Mukani are alleged to have signed and witnessed a contract on behalf of NAGRIC and Kibubu Agro Supplies for the supply and delivery of Animal semen worth 1.3bn shs without clearance by the Solicitor General as required by Law.

Mbaziira Tadeo the Finance Administration Manager is said to have approved and effected the said payment to Kibubu Agro Supplies for breeds that where in excess of what was requested for.

While Dr. Lagu is again wanted on charges of influence peddling where he allegedly violated the procurement laws and regulations and got the 1.3bn shs from Kibubu Agro. Supplies, for his own benefit.

Those who were present in court include the Technical Manager Ntate Anthony Wilfred, Nutiritionist-Dr. Palms Ezati, Farm Manager Nuwamanya Clement, and Directors of Kibubu Agro Supplies Wakulira Mathias and Nabukenya Yasinta.

They appeared before Chief Magistrate Pamella Lamunu Ochaya and denied the allegation.

They have now been remanded to Kitalya Government Prison upto Friday14th for their ruling on bail.