news 29 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Shs3.8b Fraud Case Against Geraldine Ssali et al. Adjourned Again
The corruption trial involving former PS Geraldine Ssali and several Members of Parliament has been further postponed due to the prosecution's absence and a pending constitutional challenge. The case concerns alleged fraud totaling Shs3.8 billion related to compensation for war losses. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/shs3-8b-fraud-case-against-geraldine-ssali-mps-further-deferred--5478122
The High Court’s Anti-Corruption Division has once again pushed back the trial of former Trade Ministry Permanent Secretary Geraldine Ssali and her co-accused. The adjournment, granted by trial judge Jane Okuo Kajuga, was to June 29, 2026, after the state prosecution team failed to appear. The prosecutors were reportedly attending a national symposium focused on enhancing professionalism within prosecution services.
This latest delay is compounded by a pending constitutional matter. One of the accused, former Busiki County MP Paul Akamba, has lodged a petition with the Constitutional Court challenging the legality of his prosecution. Akamba claims his fundamental human rights were violated and that he endured torture by security personnel during his arrest. He is seeking to have the charges against him dismissed based on these alleged violations.
Geraldine Ssali is standing trial alongside Igara East MP Michael Mawanda Muranga, Elgon County MP Ignatius Wamakuyu Mudiimi, lawyer Julius Taitankoko Kirya, and principal cooperative officer Leonard Kavundira. The charges they face include abuse of office, conspiracy to defraud, causing financial loss, and money laundering.
At the heart of the case is an alleged Shs3.8 billion intended for the Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society Limited. Prosecution claims Ssali irregularly included the cooperative in a list of government compensation recipients during the 2021/2022 financial year, despite it not being part of the approved supplementary budget. Furthermore, she is accused of authorizing payments totaling Shs3.8 billion to Kirya and Company Advocates in violation of Treasury Instructions. The state argues that the accused conspired to defraud the government between 2019 and 2023 of funds meant to compensate cooperatives impacted by past conflicts.
The case has a history of procedural interruptions, with previous adjournments due to the absence of court officials and, on one occasion, the prosecution, which led to an extension of bail for the defense.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)