By Spy Uganda
Former Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Cornwell Muleya has been asked to start preparing his defense in a case of disobeying lawful orders-TheSpy Uganda reports.
Muleya was charged before Buganda road Court after he declined to furnish the office of the Inspectorate of Government (IG) with relevant information in regard to the kawukumi that had engulfed the national carrier.
According to Court documents, between May and June 2022, Muleya willfully and without reasonable justification or excuse refused to comply with an order of the Inspectorate of Government dated May 23, 2022, requiring his attendance to give evidence and produce documents to the Inspectorate of Government regarding mismanagement of public funds, procurement and Recruitment of Staff at the Uganda Airlines.
It was against the above background that IG ordered Muleya’s arrest accusing him of disobeying lawful summons.
You’ve A Case To Answer
Now, after hearing from a couple of witnesses pinning Muleya on the above-mentioned allegations, Buganda Road Grade One Magistrate Asuman Muhumuza ruled that the evidence from the witnesses was more than sufficient to establish a prima facie case against Muleya.
Court noted that the ingredients for the charge of disobedience of orders such as establishing if the order was served to the accused and whether he refused to comply with it have all been proven.
”The testimonies contained serious allegations that required Muleya to defend himself,” Court ruled.
Muleya through his lawyers led by Charles Nsubuga asked Court to temporarily release his passport to enable him to travel to Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone on October 15th, 2022 to do business consultancy but court declined this and adjourned the case to October 7th, 2022 ordering him to start preparing his defense.
Muleya’s Exit At Uganda Airlines
Last year, Muleya, Paul Turacayisenga, the director of commercial, Rogers Wamara, procurement manager, Moses Wangalwa, sales and marketing officer Deo Nyanzi, Andrew Tumusiime (senior administration manager), Harvey Kalama (ground operational manager), Bruno Oringi (safety manager), Michael Kaliisa (quality manager), crew training manager Juliet Otage Odur and first officers Kenneth Kiyemba and Alex Kakooza were suspended on the orders of President Yoweri Museveni.
Their suspension was to pave way for the investigation into allegations of financial mismanagement, collusion, and nepotism in staff recruitment among other issues. However, after nine months of suspension, Muleya’s contract was terminated. Museveni also directed the disbandment of the Pereza Ahabwe-led board of directors. As a result, an interim board of directors chaired by Works ministry permanent secretary Waiswa Bageya was put in place to oversee the airline.
After investigations, and disciplinary proceedings against him and other suspended staff, the interim board took the decision to terminate Muleya’s contract among other board members and as a result, Jenifer Bamuturaki took up the mantle of becoming the ‘driver’ of the Airline in an acting capacity till recently when Museveni appointed her to serve in full capacity.
