Ugandan minister in court over alleged bribery

By Halima Athumani

KAMPALA, Uganda

A government minister appeared in court Tuesday charged with soliciting a bribe.

Labour, Employment and Industries Minister Kabafunzaki Herbert is said to have demanded a 15 million Ugandan shillings ($4,150) bribe to cover up allegations of sexual harassment at a Kampala hotel.

Herbert pleaded not guilty to two counts of corruption and a count of conspiring to commit a felony during the hearing at the Anti-Corruption Court.

He was arrested on Saturday while meeting businessman Mohammed Mohammed Hamid.

Speaking to journalists outside court, he claimed his innocence and said he was the victim of a “set up”.