The case in which the chairman of Hoima district is accused of abuse of office has been referred to the Constitutional Court for interpretation.

The was after Francis Atugonza’s lawyer Muhammed Mbabazi asked court yesterday to refer the matter to the Constitutional Court for interpretation, whetehr a person can be charged under a law which was not in existance by the time the offence was committed.

Mbabazi said Atugonza committed the offence between 2007 and 2008 but is now being charged under the Anti-Corruption Act of 2009.

Prosecution alleges that between December 2007 and December 2008, Atugonza illegally acquired and sold land located on Rwentuha Road which belonged to Hoima Town Council.

He allegedly did this without the authority of the town council.

It is alleged that he leased the land to Warid Telecom for a period of 30 years from January 2008 at Sh60million.

The case is before Justice Paul Mugamba of the Anti-Corruption Court.