Middle East Consultant managers denied bail, remanded

Middle East USA World
By Eve Muganga

The Entebbe Chief Magistrate, Ms Mary Babirye, has declined to grant bail to the two two managers of Middle East Consultants, a labour export company, who were charged on Friday with four counts of human trafficking and forgery.

Mr Godfrey Kyalimpa, 48, and Mr Benon Kunywana, 36, had applied for bail through their lawyer, Mr Ivan Wanume.

However, prosecution led by Ms Jean Nareeba, declined their application saying the accused persons and their sureties are not residents of Entebbe and arguing that such circumstances will interfere with ongoing investigations.

They were remanded to Kigo Prison until September 16, when their bail application will be heard.

Prosecution alleges that on February 12, 2019, both Kunywana and Kyalimpa, between Kampala and Entebbe International Airport, tried to traffic 50 people out of the country contrary to the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act 2009.

The managers were also charged with forgery of documents and signatures from the Ministry of Gender Labor and Social Development, contrary to Section 349 of the Penal Code.

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The accused are said to have forged signatures of Mr Lawrence Egulu, an officer in the Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development to enable 50 people to travel out of the country.

They were arrested on August 20, 2019 by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit team.

Additional reporting by URN