Businesswoman Erina Barugahara Wanzala charged in alleged UGX 983 million fraud

Erina Barugahara Wanzala, a director of Basaam General Merchandise and Supplies Ltd., appeared before the court following a joint investigation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the Criminal Investigations Directorate and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

KAMPALA — A businesswoman was arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court for allegedly conspiring to embezzle 983.5 million Ugandan shillings from a government technical institute.

Erina Barugahara Wanzala, a director of Basaam General Merchandise and Supplies Ltd., appeared before the court following a joint investigation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the Criminal Investigations Directorate and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Wanzala faces charges of conspiracy to commit a felony. She was remanded until March 31, when she is scheduled to reappearin court with her co-accused.

Prosecutors allege that between January 2024 and December 2025, Wanzala conspired with three senior administrators of Iganga Technical Institute to steal the funds. The administrators were identified as Eliachu David, Wabwire Benedict and Ajuna Damali.

Investigators said Wanzala received the money through bank transactions and withdrew it in installments. The payments were purportedly for food supplies to the institute in Iganga District, but authorities said the supplies were never delivered during the two-year period.