In a notable advancement in the battle against crime and corruption, a Ugandan couple is on the verge of losing properties valued at $300,000, located in Mt Pleasant and Vainona.
This follows a High Court directive mandating them to justify the acquisition of these two houses.
The Prosecutor General, utilising the Asset Forfeiture Unit, petitioned the High Court for an unexplained wealth and freezing order concerning the properties.
The husband, Robert Kwesiga, who served with the Danish Red Cross in Zimbabwe from 2007 to 2013, resided in the country with his spouse, Sandie Hilda Kwesiga, during this period.
The court was informed by the Prosecutor General that there were substantial grounds to suspect the couple’s involvement in serious criminal activities.
It was argued that their legitimate income was insufficient to legally acquire such properties.
The lack of documentation detailing the source and flow of the funds used to purchase the homes intensified the state’s suspicions.
The couple has been given a 30-day period to provide a satisfactory explanation of how they managed to buy the properties.
Failure to do so will result in the houses being declared as tainted and subsequently confiscated by the state.
Furthermore, the couple and any representatives acting on their behalf are prohibited from disposing of the properties until the order is either altered or overturned by the court.
The Ugandan couple is set to return to court with an explanation of their wealth in June after the 30-day period expires. Failure to do so will result in the couple losing their two houses to the state.
The judgment was delivered on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. This ruling represents a significant step forward in efforts to curb financial crimes and ensure that wealth acquisition is legally justified.
Source iHarare
