Senior officer at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development Spero Byokunda who is the Head of Petroleum Quality Assurance is reportedly on the run following his USD 50m fraud scandal.
Byokunda was briefly detained at CPS in October for allegedly orchestrating the move to fleece a total of USD 50m from a Serbian investor identified as Mr. Ljuba Samardzic.
According to the charge sheet seen by Prime News, Byokunda, who is the mastermind of the scheme, together with businessman Emmanuel Byamukama, are the two parties missing from the list of seven (7) suspects, 5 of whom have since been remanded.
The remanded suspects include; Byomugabe George, Mugisha John Bosco, Mugisha Doreen, Kigundu Frank, and Barbra Kyobutungi.
Sources privy to this case have since learnt that court summons seeking Byokunda and Byamukama’s appearance in court were issued yesterday following a request by State Attorney Ms. Mercy Khaidarah Yamangusho.
Our sources have also disclosed that Byokunda is a well-established, polygamous man with families in Kampala, Mukono, Mbarara and Kanungu. It is said that he might have already left the country through the borders of either DRC or Rwanda.
Another source who preferred anonymity said Byokunda was last seen at the home of his 4th wife Ms. Ajara Namagembe in Rwizi cell, Ruharo Ward, Kamukuzi Division in Mbarara City.
Betrayed by a friend?
A few days before his alleged run, Byokunda released a dossier alleging that he had been betrayed by a close family friend. According to this leaked information that has since been shared in various WhatsApp groups, Byokunda states that had it not been the betrayal by close friend named (Joseph Tumwebaze), the matter could have been investigated and handled quietly.
“I greet you all in the name of God the Almighty, the Merciful. I am writing this message with pain and disappointment because of the disturbing information I recently received pitting me against one of my best friends…. By all minimum standards, Tumwebaze is known in many circles as my brother or my kin. I am sure many people will be surprised to hear all this and many others may not believe because of the close relationship I have with Tumwebaze”, the missive reads in part.
Prime News will keep you posted as the hunt for Byokunda carries on. He is needed to appear in court before November 10th, 2023.