Kampala, Uganda | THE BLACK EXAMINER | The City Hall Magistrate’s court has issued a summons for Spero Byokunda, the head of petroleum in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, and businessman Emmanuel Byamukama. They are required to appear in court on November 10 to address charges related to defrauding a Serbian investor of $50 million.

Byokunda and Byamukama are co-accused, along with five others, including George Byomugabe, a legal officer at Namwezi village in Goma division, Mukono Municipality, John Bosco Mugisha, a teacher, and office attendants Doreen Mugisha and Barbara Kyobutungi from the Ministry of Energy. Frank Kiggundu, a businessman who appeared in court, denied the charges.

The charges against the group involve forgery and conspiracy in connection with a meeting with Serbian investor LJuba Samardzic, who intended to undertake an energy-related project.

The prosecution alleges that in August 2023 in Kampala, Kyomugabe forged confirmation documents for the supply of LED-based solar street lights from the Ministry of Energy, falsely presenting himself as the chairperson of the special contracts committee. Byomugabe, on the other hand, claimed to be the chairman of the special contracts committee and provided the investor with forged documents confirming the supply of LED-based solar street lights.

Byomugabe and his co-accused individuals appeared in court and denied the charges. They were remanded until November 10, 2023, as they were unable to provide substantial sureties.

The court issued the summons following a request by State Attorney Mercy Khaidarah Yamangusho, as Byokunda and Byamukama were still at large.