By Frank Kamuntu
A significant development in the ongoing Shs60 billion central bank fraud case has seen nine officials from Uganda’s Ministry of Finance charged with serious crimes, including money laundering, electronic fraud, abuse of office, corruption, and causing financial loss.
The accused individuals were arrested on Tuesday, and the case took a decisive turn when they were presented before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala. The Chief Magistrate, Racheal Nakyazze, remanded them following their first appearance. Among those charged is the Accountant General, Lawrence Ssemakula, who along with other officials—Paul Lumala, Jennifer Muhulizi, Mubarak Nsamba, Mark Kasuku, Tony Yawe, Deborah Kusiima, Betinah Nayebare, and Judith Ashaba—allegedly diverted funds intended for debt repayments to the World Bank and African Development Bank into foreign accounts.
According to court documents, a $6.134 million debt repayment for the World Bank was rerouted to a Japanese company, Road Way, and deposited into an account at MFUFG Bank. Similarly, $8.569 million meant for the African Development Bank was sent to NJS International in London. The fraud involves these officials manipulating the payment systems to channel funds into unauthorized accounts. Prosecutors claim that Ssemakula and Muhulizi failed to protect public finances, while Yawe is accused of exploiting the system to divert an additional $6 million meant for the African Development Bank.
The case took another twist when the prosecution requested a criminal summons for one of the accused, Pedison Twesigomwe, who allegedly avoided attending the court hearing. Other individuals, including Kusiima and Nkalubo, are accused of trying to hide fraudulent transactions, which prosecutors argue constitute money laundering and corruption.
The defense team, led by lawyers Peter Kabatsi and Bruce Musinguzi, raised concerns about not being given a summary of charges ahead of the plea hearing and sought bail for their clients. However, Magistrate Nakyazze ruled that money laundering charges, which are classified as capital offenses, fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court. As a result, the court could not hear the plea for all the charges. The defense also questioned why charges not related to money laundering could not be addressed at this stage, but the prosecution maintained that the most serious charges should be dealt with first.
The court proceedings will continue with a hearing scheduled for February 18, after the accused officials were remanded in custody. The investigation is still ongoing, and further developments in the case are expected as authorities continue to probe the full extent of the financial wrongdoing.
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