By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
The remanded Uganda Netball Federation (UNF) president, Sarah Babirye Kityo who was remanded to Luzira prison yesterday, Monday, 15th May, 2023 says allegations against her are a matter of witch-hunt.
Kityo made the allegations shortly after being held at Central Police Station over allegations of obtaining money by false pretense from two victims.
In an audio recording captured before she was arraigned before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court and later remanded, Kityo is heard addressing a one Kabura where she tells her story.
“Yes my brother, Kabura, my name is Sarah Babirye Kityo, am the President Uganda Netball Association, like I was sharing with you earlier on phone, I came to police to make a statement over a case that Dr. Ogwel opened against me that I defamed him when I told the public of a story where my executive members informed us or alleged that he had asked for a kickback as a result Shs30M meant for male players went missing,” she says in the video.
Kityo then says when she reached police she realized that there was a case opened against her together with Namutebi Zainab that they had conned or got money from two victims by false pretense.
“So I wish to inform you that all these cases are not true, it is a total witch hunt coz the person claiming that she gave the money to me, it is not true. She has never given me the money,” Kityo says.
She later explained that the two complainants paid the money to the fans association to enable them travel with the team to the U.S as fans but unfortunately for the two, they were denied visas so they could not travel.
“These people were denied visas, so they were not able to travel with the team,” Kityo says in the audio.
THE COUNTS
Kityo, a resident of Bukasa in Wakiso District yesterday appeared before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court alongside businesswoman Zainab Namutebi, 40, where they were charged with two counts of obtaining money by false pretense.
One of the duo’s alleged victims, Sarah Wamala states that in May 2022, she paid Shs8 million to the accused persons to take her son to the United States of America, which promise was not fulfilled.
In the second count, another alleged victim, Gloria Kikomeko Nantambi also asserts that Ms Kityo, 37, Namutebi and others still at large in May 2022, obtained Shs8 million from her claiming that they would take her to the US.
The two accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges during a session presided over by Grade One Magistrate, Siena Owomugisha.
Her Worship, Owomugisha remanded them to Luzira Prison until May 17, 2023 when they are expected to return to court for their bail application and hearing.
