The Chief Magistrate of Mukono Grade One Court, Gerald Emwogu, has remanded Mubarak Ssekikuubo Mubiru, the Chairperson of Nakisunga Subcounty and aspiring Member of Parliament for Mukono South Constituency, to Kawuga Prison over charges related to fraudulent dealings in district jobs.
According to the State Prosecutor, Josephine Nanyonga, the accused persons — Dr. Saadi Wataaba (35), head of health services in Lugazi Municipality; Ronald Ssaku Mugerwa (38), a child and family welfare officer in Lugazi Municipality; and Mubarak Ssekikuubo (43), Chairperson of Nakisunga Subcounty — are jointly charged with two counts, including obtaining money by false pretenses and attempting to defraud.
It is alleged that between January and June this year, Ssekikuubo, Dr. Wataaba, Mugerwa, and others still at large, connived to defraud Dr. George William Mukisa of Uganda Shillings 38 million in Mukono Municipality. The group reportedly deceived the victim that they would secure him a government job in the health department through the district service commission.
The second charge — attempted fraud — stems from the same alleged scheme in which the trio and others reportedly conspired between January and June to defraud Dr. Mukisa of Shs 38 million under the false pretext that they could help him get a medical officer’s job in the Mukono District Local Government.
When the case came up for mention before Magistrate Emwogu, Ssekikuubo denied all the charges. His lawyer, Lawrence Tumuhairwe of Larry Advocates, applied for bail, sparking a heated legal exchange in court.
Tumuhairwe argued that his client deserved bail since he had credible sureties and held a responsible position in the community. However, Magistrate Emwogu rejected the bail application, remanding Ssekikuubo to Kawuga Prison until November 4, when the court will hear his formal bail application.
The decision sparked discontent among Ssekikuubo’s supporters and family members, who were seen expressing frustration outside the courtroom.
Earlier this month, Ronald Ssaku Mugerwa, one of the co-accused persons, had also been remanded on the same charges and is expected back in court on November 4 for his bail hearing.
Ssekikuubo was arrested last Friday, shortly after he had been nominated to contest for the Mukono South parliamentary seat. When contacted for comment, he denied knowledge of the accusations, saying he was shocked by the charges and had never been investigated over such matters.
