Uganda, Nov. 6 -- The Anti-Corruption Court has sentenced the former head of verification at the Bank of Uganda (BoU) to three years imprisonment for stealing old currency notes that were meant for destruction. The Grade One magistrate, Ms Esther Asiimwe, sentenced Charles Kasede Ochieng after finding him guilty of abuse of his office.

The trial magistrate noted that although the accused's testimony about the branch being understaffed may justify his involvement in punching notes, she found no valid reason for his actions of splitting bundles, removing, and pocketing notes before feeding the punching machine, as captured in all 22 prosecution exhibit clips.

"This behaviour contradicts established procedures, as testified by prosecution ...