Trial Begins for Nine Finance Officials in Shs 60bn Bank of Uganda Heist

The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has officially commenced the high-stakes trial of nine former Ministry of Finance officials. The accused individuals face serious charges stemming from the alleged fraudulent diversion of more than $14 million—approximately Shs 60 billion—in March 2024.

According to the prosecution, the officials allegedly manipulated electronic payment files generated through the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS). This manipulation reportedly redirected funds originally intended for the International Development Association of the World Bank Group and the African Development Fund to unintended foreign beneficiaries.

The high-profile defendants include former Accountant General Lawrence Ssemakula, former director of Treasury Services Jennifer Muhuruzi, and several IT and accounting officers. The defence, represented by lawyer Mwesigwa Rukutana, informed Justice David Makumbi that the accused were prepared to face trial, paving the way for the swearing-in of six assessors.

During the opening hearing, Dr Edward Ssengozi Damulira, the Ministry of Finance’s under secretary and accounting officer, took the stand as the first prosecution witness. Damulira detailed the government’s financial allocations for system upgrades, noting that Shs 13 billion in supplementary funding had been released during the 2022/2023 financial year to enhance the Programme Budgeting System, IFMS, and the Electronic Government Procurement System.

Damulira testified that he first learned of security vulnerabilities during a senior technical management meeting, where the Accountant General mentioned a security issue at the Bank of Uganda resulting in misrouted payments. However, because Treasury operations operate under a separate budget vote and report directly to the permanent secretary, Damulira stated he was not privy to all operational details until he was summoned to record a statement.

All nine defendants have maintained their innocence and denied the charges. The trial continues at the Anti-Corruption Court.

Read more details in the original report on The Observer.