MAAIF SH10BN HEIST! Uganda’s Kenya Envoy Amb. Herbert Kiguli Sent to Luzira Over Bukalasa COVID Cash Scandal
Ambassador Herbert Kiguli
By Our Reporter
Uganda’s Consul General in Mombasa, Kenya, Ambassador Herbert Kiguli, has been remanded to Luzira Prison over allegations of causing a financial loss of Shs494 million to Government and abuse of office in a wider scandal involving billions of shillings released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF).
Kiguli, 59, appeared before Principal Magistrate Christopher Opit at the Anti-Corruption Court on Monday, where the charges were read and explained to him.
He denied the allegations.
The court remanded Kiguli until October 7, 2026, at midday, when he is expected to return for the hearing of his bail application.
The ambassador was arrested by the Inspectorate of Government (IG) before being taken to court.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences occurred on November 9 and 10, 2020, when Kiguli was serving as Commissioner for Human Resource Management at MAAIF headquarters in Entebbe.
The IG alleges that Kiguli originated and signed, on behalf of the Principal of Bukalasa Agricultural College, five requisitions amounting to Shs614,768,000.
The transactions allegedly resulted in a financial loss of Shs494,097,270 to Government.
Investigators allege that the funds had neither been budgeted for nor anticipated by Bukalasa Agricultural College.
The IG further alleges that there was no valid Memorandum of Understanding governing the financial relationship between the college and MAAIF at the time.
The money was reportedly intended to facilitate various MAAIF activities which could not take place because of restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
SH10BN LOCKDOWN CASH
Kiguli’s case is believed to form part of wider investigations into the alleged misuse of funds released by MAAIF to Bukalasa Agricultural College and the Fisheries Training Institute in Entebbe during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Reports from 2020 indicated that MAAIF had released about Shs10.2 billion to the two institutions in instalments to facilitate activities that could not be undertaken because of the lockdown.
The IG subsequently found that approximately Shs8.7 billion had allegedly been misappropriated.
The funds were reportedly meant for activities including industrial training, procurement of stationery and instructional materials, and renovation of livestock farms.
Investigators also raised questions over payments described as being for students’ feeding bills despite students having been sent home during the lockdown.
Some officials were further alleged to have withdrawn portions of the funds and used them for purposes including purchasing private land in prime locations.
IG PUSHES RECOVERY
The Inspectorate of Government previously said some MAAIF and Bukalasa Agricultural College officials admitted wrongdoing and agreed to refund misappropriated funds.
The IG has since been pursuing recovery measures against those implicated.
In Kiguli’s case, prosecution alleges that the five requisitions he originated and signed were irregular and contributed to the financial loss.
The IG was represented in court by Principal Inspectorate Officer William Moses Ntumwa and Inspectorate Officers Milly Namuwanga and Jennifer Katusime.
The Inspectorate reiterated its commitment to protecting public resources and urged public officers to comply with financial regulations when executing their duties.
Kiguli’s remand adds a new high-profile name to the investigations into the alleged misuse of MAAIF funds during the COVID-19 lockdown.
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