By Kabuye Ronald
The Anti-Corruption Chief Magistrate has made a decisive move by committing Trade Ministry Permanent Secretary Mrs. Geraldine Busuulwa Ssali, along with three Members of Parliament and several ministry officials, to the High Court for trial on charges related to corruption and embezzlement of public funds earmarked for cooperatives.
Mrs. Ssali, who was apprehended last Thursday and held at Kira Police Division in Wakiso, is accused of multiple offenses including abuse of office, causing financial loss, and conspiracy. The MPs involved in the case are Michael Mawanda (Igara East), Ignatius Mudimi Wamakuyu (Elgon County), and Paul Akamba (Busiki County). Also implicated are city lawyer Julius Taitankoko Kirya and Leonard Kavundira, a principal cooperative officer from the Ministry of Trade.
The prosecution, represented by Ms. Joan Aciro at Nakasero Anti-Corruption Court, presented an amended charge sheet outlining the allegations. It alleges that Mrs. Ssali, during the financial years 2021/22, abused her authority as permanent secretary by improperly adding Buyaka Growers Cooperatives Society Ltd to the list of cooperatives eligible for government compensation for war losses, despite it not being included in the original budget request of August 4, 2021.
Furthermore, the prosecution contends that Mrs. Ssali facilitated irregular payments totaling over Shs3.8 billion to Kirya and Co. Advocates, purportedly for Buyaka Growers Cooperatives Society Ltd, violating Treasury instructions and causing financial loss to the government.
In addition to financial impropriety, Mrs. Ssali and the MPs are accused of conspiring between 2019 and 2023 to defraud the government of more than Shs3.4 billion allocated for war loss compensation to Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society Ltd. The charges also include new allegations such as receiving stolen property against MPs Mawanda and Wamakuyu, stealing by an agent and money laundering against Mr. Kirya, and abuse of office against Mr. Kavundira.
The accused were initially facing charges and were in the process of seeking bail. However, with the introduction of new charges, they must now reapply for bail through the High Court’s Anti-Corruption Division.
Specifically, MP Mawanda faces accusations of diverting public funds amounting to over Shs1 billion for unrelated purposes, while MPs Wamakuyu and Akamba are accused of misappropriating over Shs2.3 billion and Shs200 million respectively, intended for government compensation.
The case has stirred significant public and legal interest, underscoring ongoing efforts to combat corruption within government ranks and ensure accountability for the misuse of public funds. The upcoming trial at the High Court’s Anti-Corruption Division is expected to further illuminate the extent of alleged malfeasance and determine the fate of the accused parties involved in this high-profile case.
