Museveni Reportedly Orders Fresh Probe Into Geraldine Ssali Case Amid Claims of Political Persecution

Kampala: Former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Ms Geraldine Ssali Busuulwa, could receive a major boost in her ongoing legal troubles following reports that President Yoweri Museveni has directed intelligence agencies to undertake a fresh review of the circumstances surrounding the multi-billion-shilling compensation scandal that led to her prosecution.

Ms Ssali is currently facing accountability-related charges before court in connection with the alleged mismanagement of funds earmarked for cooperatives and compensation claims. However, her supporters maintain that she was unfairly targeted by powerful individuals who were opposed to reforms she pursued during her tenure at the ministry.

Sources familiar with the matter claim that the President has taken a renewed interest in the case and tasked security and intelligence agencies to establish whether the former accounting officer was wrongly implicated in the scandal.

Ms Ssali served as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives from July 2021 until July 2024. Prior to that, she held several senior leadership positions, including serving as Deputy Managing Director of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) between 2011 and 2017.

Her tenure at the ministry became the subject of intense scrutiny following investigations into the disbursement of more than Shs160 billion intended for compensation claims and cooperative-related payments. The investigations culminated in criminal proceedings against her and other officials.

However, individuals close to the former permanent secretary argue that the accusations were fueled by a network of influential political actors and vested interests who were uncomfortable with measures she introduced to strengthen accountability and oversight within the ministry.

Among those frequently mentioned by her supporters are Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, Mbarara City South MP Mwine Mpaka, who at the time chaired Parliament’s Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism, former Trade Minister Francis Mwebesa, State Minister for Trade David Bahati, and former Speaker Anita Among.

The leaders named have not publicly responded to the latest allegations and have previously maintained that parliamentary investigations and oversight processes were conducted in accordance with the law.

Sources further allege that efforts are ongoing to mobilise cooperative leaders and beneficiaries to provide testimony against Ms Ssali. However, those sympathetic to her argue that such efforts have encountered resistance because many cooperative societies have close links to political leaders and legislators.

Meanwhile, supporters of the former permanent secretary contend that findings from any fresh investigations could shed new light on the decisions that were taken during the management of the disputed funds and potentially influence public perception of her role in the matter.

The development comes as Ms Ssali continues to battle the charges in court, where the prosecution is expected to present evidence supporting the allegations against her. The court proceedings remain ongoing.

Neither State House nor the relevant intelligence agencies had officially commented on the reported directive by press time.

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