The Judiciary has noted with concern statements circulating in the media that it played a role in the recent death of city lawyer Bob Kasango.
Mr Kasango,46, reportedly succumbed to heart-related complications on Saturday February 27 in Murchison Bay Prison at Luzira.
His demise is regrettable, and the Judiciary commiserates with his family and friends. We would, however, like to correct the wrong impression being created that the Court had any connection with Mr Kasango’s sudden death.
Mr Kasango, alongside three senior government officials, were between 2016 and 2018 arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court for several criminal offences related to the theft of Shs15.4 billion meant for pensioners.
On December 21, 2018, all four were convicted.
Mr Kasango was handed 16 years in jail after the Court found him guilty of conspiracy to commit a felony, conspiracy to defraud, forgery of judicial documents and theft. He was also ordered to compensate the Government of Uganda ShsS billion.
He appealed to the Court of Appeal against the convictions and sentences — he, unfortunately, passed on before the Court could deliver its decision in the matter.
It is also important to note that Mr Kasango had applied for bail pending appeal before a single judge, but his application was unsuccessful, and the Court gave reasons.
He appealed the decision before a panel of three justices, but it was equally unsuccessful, and the reasons were given.
It is, therefore, wrong for anyone to impute any wrongdoing on the part of the Court, let alone suggesting that the Court had anything to do with his eventual death.
May His Soul Rest in Eternal Peace!