justice 7 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Court Acquits CDO and Banker in Shs57 Million Elderly Stipend Theft Case
A Chief Magistrate's Court in Tororo has acquitted David Asangai, a Community Development Officer, and Josephine Naluyima, a bank teller, who were accused of stealing Shs57 million meant for elderly stipends. The court found the prosecution's case lacked sufficient evidence. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/court-acquits-cdo-banker-accused-of-theft-of-shs57m-stipend-for-elderly-people-5450694
The Chief Magistrate’s Court in Tororo District has cleared two individuals, a Community Development Officer and a bank teller, of charges related to the theft of Shs57 million intended for elderly stipends.
Magistrate Irene Nantabya ruled that the prosecution failed to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt, citing inconsistencies in witness statements, gaps in the evidence, and a lack of corroborating material.
The court determined that the identification of the accused, Josephine Naluyima (a Centenary Rural Bank teller) and David Asangai (a CDO), was unreliable and there was no clear link connecting them to the alleged stolen funds. The state had accused them and others still at large of conspiring to steal Shs57.4 million from the Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) program.
Both Naluyima and Asangai were arrested by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit in collaboration with the Uganda Police Force. Following their acquittal, Magistrate Nantabya directed the Tororo Chief Administrative Officer to lift Asangai’s interdiction and reinstate him. She also recommended that Centenary Rural Bank consider reinstating Naluyima.
Legal observers noted that the judgment highlights the critical need for robust investigations and substantial evidence in prosecuting theft and conspiracy charges.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)