GULU– The High Court in Gulu has overturned the ruling that punished Gulu University Dean of students for allegedly stealing Shs 3.5 million from a business partner.
Christopher Mwetwale Mpora was found guilty of committing the offence by Gulu Grade One Magistrate Christine Turibamwe on January 27, 2022.
In her verdict, the Magistrate slapped Mpora with a fine of Shs 3.5mln and imprisonment for a period of one year in case he failed to pay the fine.
Mpora was accused of forging documents and withdrew Shs 3.5mln from Centenary Bank Gulu Branch on June 15, 2021.
Mpora’s conviction followed a case lodged against him by Mildred Alok, his business associate in a joint venture running a petrol station business.
The judgment passed was contained in a criminal vide case number 0258 of 2021 on theft contrary to section 231(1) and 261 of Penal Code Act and forgery of document contrary to 242 of Penal Code Act.
The University then interdicted him as he continued serving his sentence while his salary was cut off by half as he battled in Court for sixteen months.
Through his legal representatives Kunihira and Co. Advocates, Mpora appealed to the High Court of Gulu, challenging the ruling from the Magistrate Court.
On Tuesday evening, Resident Judge Justice Alex Mackay Ajiji overturned the first ruling.
The Judge observed that the applicant can pursue a legal suit for compensation for the expenses he incurred in the litigation processes.
Meanwhile, Mpora’s legal representative has written to Gulu University management to reinstate him into the office and settle his salary arrears, which have accumulated to Shs 62.4mln.
In an interview with this reporter on Wednesday, Mpora revealed that he has spent over Shs 25mln to find justice in the courts of law.
“I have not yet decided whether to seek a legal redress for the losses I have suffered and the damages that came from a malicious prosecution but what is clear by the law is that I will take back my job from the university,” Mpora said.
The Gulu University Deputy Public Relations Officer James Ojok Onono however acknowledged receipt of the petition from the embattled employee.
“We don’t want to hurry. The university will have to look into his petition, consider relevant laws and will respond to him [Mpora] in writing,” Onono told this reporter.
https://thecooperator.news/gulu-sells-district-land-to-pay-sacked-employees/
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