Kampala-Former Secretary General of Uganda Red Cross Society Michael Richard Nataka has been this evening sent Luzira prison after being charged before Court over corruption related charges.
Mr Nataka, aged 45, was arraigned before the Anti Corruption Court for having allegedly abused his office when he transported a vehicle (Toyota Tundra) belonging to an individual in the same container carrying Red Cross consignment.
According to Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), Nataka was trying to escape taxes to the Uganda Revenue Authority.
However, Nataka refuted the counts of abuse of office preferred against before presiding Grade One Magistrate Agnes Alum. However, State Attorney Harriet Angom told Court that inquires Into the case were complete but asked for more time to call upon witnesses.
Nataka was sent to prison after his lawyer Mr Fred Makada told Court that he was given the file on a short notice and that he required time to apply for Nataka’s release on bail.
He was, remanded to Luzira prison until tomorrow at 2pm when he will return to Court to apply for bail. It is said that between the month of February and June in 2013, at the URCS headquarters office at Rubaga, Nataka allowed the importation of a motor vehicle (Toyota Tundra) that belonged to an individual in the same container transporting consignment belonging to the Red Cross. Nataka is further accused that between May and June 2013 at same venue he sought an exemption of taxes from URA on the same vehicle.
