Cornwell Muleya, the former Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Airlines is out on bail. He appeared Wednesday before the Buganda Road Grade One Magistrate, Asuman Muhumuza who granted him bail of Shillings 1.5 million in cash and bonded his sureties Shillings 50 million non cash.
Muleya’s sureties included Paul Lusoke Bitamazire, the Finance and Administrative Director of ADRA Uganda, Gerald Muhumuza, a health and safety security coordinator of UVRI, Geoffrey Ssemakula, the Field Operations Manager of Blue Communications and Martin Kayira, a member of Muleya’s church.
Earlier, Muleya’s lawyer Kevin Nsubuga pleaded with the court to grant his client bail on favorable terms owing to the fact that he is unemployed at the moment. “We believe in courts wisdom, we prayed for favorable terms and we are happy. We believe the terms are quite reasonable,” Nsubuga said shortly after the court decision. He will appear before the court on July 25th, 2022 for the hearing of his case.
Muleya’s court appearance followed his arrest on Tuesday by the Inspectorate of Government for alleged failure to heed to their summons. In a brief statement, the Deputy Inspector General of Government, Dr. Patricia Achan Okiria, explained that “Muleya has been arrested and charged with the offense of failure to attend before the Inspectorate of Government when so ordered.”
The Inspectorate of Government accused Muleya of disobeying orders of the Inspectorate of Government contrary to Section 35 of the Inspectorate of Government Act, 2002.
“He willfully and without reasonable justification or excuse refused to comply with the orders of the Inspectorate dated the 23rd day of May 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 under reference HQT/CO/561/2021.”
Muleya’s woes started on April 21st, 2021 after Works Minister Edward Katumba Wamala sent him and 12 other top officials on forced leave. The minister eventually suspended the officials on the orders of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to pave way for investigations into allegations of financial mismanagement, collusion, and nepotism in staff recruitment among other issues.
He was eventually relieved of his duties by the Ministry of Works Permanent Secretary, a decision Muleya is challenging in the High court. Muleya served as Uganda Airlines CEO from 2019 to May last year.
