Former principal accountant in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Mr. Geoffrey Kazinda, is pursuing $40,000 (approximately Shs148 million) from Uganda’s Inspector General of Government (IGG) as legal costs in an ongoing case at the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) in Arusha, Tanzania. The matter stems from the dismissal of a case filed by the IGG against Kazinda, which the regional court ruled was outside its jurisdiction.
A scheduled hearing for Kazinda’s bill of costs on November 14 was adjourned after the IGG or her representatives failed to appear, citing lack of a formal hearing notice. Registrar Christine Tumura postponed the hearing to a future date. The case follows a 2022 ruling by the EACJ, where a five-judge panel dismissed the IGG’s application against Kazinda, declaring the ombudsman lacked the standing to appear as a party before the court.
The EACJ, led by Principal Judge Yohane B. Masara, concluded that the IGG is not an institution or organ of the East African Community (EAC) under Articles 30(1) and 9(1) of the Treaty, barring her from bringing or being joined in legal proceedings at the regional level. “The IGG does not fall within the purview of the Treaty and cannot be a respondent in this court,” the judges ruled, highlighting that such actions can only be pursued through the Attorney General.
Kazinda had previously been convicted by Uganda’s Anti-Corruption Court in 2022 for illicit enrichment, leading to the confiscation of his properties. Dissatisfied with the decision, he filed a reference at the EACJ seeking to annul the ruling, arguing it violated the principles of good governance, rule of law, and accountability enshrined in the EAC Treaty.
During hearings, Kazinda, representing himself, raised a preliminary objection that the IGG, being neither a “legal” nor a “natural” person under the Treaty, lacked the capacity to file an application in the court. The judges upheld his objection, referencing a similar precedent involving the Central Bank of Kenya.
In their analysis, the justices condemned the IGG to costs, criticizing public institutions for wasting taxpayer resources on avoidable litigation. The ruling underscored the importance of inter-institutional harmony and adherence to legal mandates.
The court’s decision not only vindicated Kazinda but also set a precedent on jurisdictional limitations concerning public offices under the EAC framework.
Geoffrey Kazinda is a former principal accountant in Uganda’s Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). He gained notoriety for his involvement in financial scandals, including allegations of embezzlement and illicit enrichment. Kazinda was convicted by the Anti-Corruption Court in Uganda on charges of fraud and amassing unexplained wealth. His legal battles, including appeals and petitions to regional courts, have kept him a prominent figure in Uganda’s fight against corruption.
