A Kampala-based businesswoman, Erina Barugahara Wanzala, has been arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court on charges of conspiracy to commit a felony in connection with the alleged embezzlement of nearly UGX 1 billion from a government institution.
Wanzala, who is the Director of Basaam General Merchandise and Supplies Ltd, was presented in court by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, working jointly with the Criminal Investigations Directorate and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. She was remanded until March 31, 2026, when she is expected to return to court alongside her co-accused.
Prosecution alleges that between January 2024 and December 2025, in Iganga District, Wanzala conspired with Eliachu David, Wabwire Benedict, and Ajuna Damali, all senior administrators at Iganga Technical Institute, to embezzle UGX 983,480,000 from the institution.
According to investigators, Wanzala allegedly received the funds through a series of bank transactions and proceeded to withdraw the money in installments. The transactions were reportedly disguised as payments for food supplies to the institute.
However, investigations indicate that the purported food supplies were never delivered during the 2024–2025 period, raising suspicion of a coordinated scheme to defraud the government institution.
The case adds to a growing list of corruption-related prosecutions targeting misuse of public funds in government institutions, as authorities intensify efforts to crack down on graft.
