Sylvia Nvanungi the Chief Magistrate of Mitooma and Sembabule Resident State Attorney, Jacqueline Bako have been detained by the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala on corruption charges.
Chief Magistrate Joan Aciro presided over their appearance, charging them with a total of eight corruption counts. Jacqueline Bako is implicated in all charges, while Sylvia Nvanungi is linked to one count, all allegedly occurring during Nvanungi’s tenure as the Sembabule Chief Magistrate earlier in the year.
The court heard that in April 2023, while holding public roles, the two allegedly sought gratification of Shillings 2.5 million from suspects’ relatives.
The money was purportedly exchanged for bail or manipulation of charge sheets. Bako is accused of receiving 1.48 million Shillings from Franco Mulangwa as part of this arrangement.
The charges extend to accusations against Bako for seeking and accepting money from various individuals in exchange for bail-related favors and altering legal charges. Both accused parties pleaded not guilty and requested bail, but the court rejected their plea due to a lack of credible sureties.
Nvanungi, citing personal health issues and familial responsibilities, sought release, emphasizing the need to explain her situation to judicial authorities. Despite her emotional plea, the court denied her bail, citing insufficient documentation from the proposed sureties.
