Kinshasa, May 5th, 2026 (CPA) – The trial concerning the alleged embezzlement of funds from the Special Fund for the Compensation of Victims of Uganda’s Illegal Activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Frivao) was adjourned to May 19th after the absence of the main witness, former Justice Minister Constant Mutamba, was noted during a Tuesday hearing at the Kinshasa/Gombe Court of Appeal. “The court will grant the request of the public prosecutor’s office, given that the appearance is necessary. He (Constant Mutamba, former Minister of Justice) must be confronted with certain witnesses. Sufficient time will be granted for him to recover. The court hereby adjourns the case to May 19th, declared the presiding judge. At the beginning of the hearing, the court read a letter of apology submitted by the former minister, citing a “fragile health condition” to justify his absence. “Madam President, I present my apologies for my absence at today’s hearing. My fragile health condition will not allow me to intervene,” the letter stated.
The prosecutor insisted on the necessity of his appearance, arguing that it falls under his duty to cooperate with justice. “At today’s hearing, in view of this summons, the minister should have appeared. That would have been cooperation with justice. However, during the clerk’s visit, although the procedure went without incident, Mr. Mutamba responded with a letter addressed to the president, whose content expresses legitimate excuses,” said the magistrate. He added: “This case did not come out of nowhere; it was investigated and forwarded following a decision of severance. Here, he is only appearing as a witness; there is nothing to fear, it is simply to cooperate with justice.” Regarding medical justification, he stated that Mr. Mutamba presented health reasons supported by a certificate signed by two doctors, stressing that it is up to the court to take this into account in respect of the right to defense. Chançard Bolukola, former coordinator of Frivao, is being prosecuted before the Kinshasa-Gombe Court of Appeal for the alleged embezzlement of several million US dollars intended for victims of the “Six-Day War” in Kisangani. He is accused of having irregularly awarded public contracts to allegedly fictitious companies and certain public institutions. According to the prosecution, he allegedly embezzled nearly USD 15 million through transfers to Congo Énergie; USD 4 million to the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN); USD 200,000 to the Provincial Assembly of Tshopo; USD 1,024,000 to the company Divo for film production; and USD 2,000,000 to Global Assurance Service.