Three construction firm employees convicted of sh718m theft fined
Justice Jane Okuo, on May 14, 2026, convicted former purchasing officer Daniel Kiseka Mutalanga, Joseph Ntambi and James Ssematimba following their guilty plea under a plea bargain arrangement.
State attorney Pamela Orogot informed the court that the accused willingly entered into the plea bargain agreement and agreed to abide by its terms. (File photo)
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Three employees of SBC Uganda have been convicted of embezzling shillings 718 million from the company, and each has been ordered to pay a fine and compensation.
Justice Jane Okuo, on May 14, 2026, convicted former purchasing officer Daniel Kiseka Mutalanga, Joseph Ntambi and James Ssematimba following their guilty plea under a plea bargain arrangement.
A plea bargain is an agreement in a criminal case where the accused person agrees to plead guilty to a charge (usually a lesser offence or fewer charges).
State attorney Pamela Orogot informed the court that the accused willingly entered into the plea bargain agreement and agreed to abide by its terms.
The convicts pleaded guilty to charges of embezzlement, dealing in suspect property, and conspiracy to defraud.
Court sentenced Joseph to pay a fine of shillings 6.7 million or serve one year in prison in default of payment. James was fined Sh3.2 million, and in default, he will serve two years’ imprisonment.
Kiseka was ordered to pay a fine of shillings 1.4 million on the charge of dealing in suspect property or serve one year in prison in default of payment. On the charge of conspiracy to defraud, he was fined shillings 2.4 million or face one year’s imprisonment in default.
In addition, the court ordered each of the accused to compensate SBC Uganda Limited. The first accused is required to pay shillings 130 million, the second accused shillings 90 million, while the third accused is to compensate the company with shillings 84 million within six months.
The court further barred them from holding public office for a period of 10 years.
The prosecution stated that Mutangala, between October 2022 and February 2024, stole shillings 718 million from the company, money he had access to by virtue of his office.
According to the prosecution, Ntambi, between October 2022 and February 2024, at Equity Bank in Entebbe, Wakiso district, allegedly dealt with suspected property belonging to SBC Uganda Ltd involving shillings 384 million.
The prosecution further alleges that Ssematimba, while at dfcu Bank, dealt with suspected property belonging to SBC Uganda Limited involving shillings 113 million, knowing or having reason to believe that the money was proceeds of crime.
He is also accused of dealing with an additional sh5.5 million, allegedly knowing that the money had been obtained through the embezzlement of funds from SBC Uganda Ltd.