Ex-Trade Ministry PS Ssali, MPs Mawanda, Akamba Return to Anti-Corruption Court in Shs3.8 Billion Fraud Case

Left to right: MPs Michael Mawanda, Paul Akamba, lawyer Julius Kirya, ex-Ministry of Trade PS Geraldine Ssali and Elgon MP Ignitius Mudimi Wamakuyu in the dock during the hearing of their case at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala on August 27, 2024.

KAMPALA — Former Ministry of Trade Permanent Secretary Geraldine Ssali appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court on Wednesday alongside several co-accused in a case involving the alleged loss of 3.8 billion Ugandan shillings.

The high-profile matter, presided over by Grade One Magistrate Paul Mujuni, was scheduled for a routine mention. However, proceedings could not move forward due to the absence of the assistant registrar.

Mujuni adjourned the case to April 15, 2026, while extending bail for all defendants.

Ssali faces multiple charges, including abuse of office, conspiracy to defraud, causing financial loss and money laundering. Prosecutors allege that during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 financial years, she irregularly authorized payments totaling 3.8 billion shillings to Kirya and Co. Advocates as compensation for war losses.

The funds were intended for the Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society. Authorities claim the cooperative was added to the compensation list despite being excluded from the approved supplementary budget, a move that allegedly violated the 2017 Treasury Instructions.

The co-accused in the case include Members of Parliament Michael Mawanda, Paul Akamba and Ignatius Mudimi Wamakuyu, as well as lawyer Julius Taitankoko Kirya and principal cooperative officer Leonard Kavundira.

All defendants have denied the allegations. The trial has faced multiple delays, including a pending constitutional application filed by Akamba challenging his arrest on human rights grounds. Main proceedings are currently stalled awaiting a ruling from the Constitutional Court on that petition.

The case is part of a broader government effort to investigate irregularities in public fund disbursements, specifically within postwar compensation schemes.