By Robert Segawa
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has launched a high-profile investigation into the disappearance of 60 billion shillings from the Bank of Uganda, questioning the Accountant General and eight other Ministry of Finance officials. The investigation follows a whistleblower’s revelation that the missing funds were transferred into individual accounts in Japan and the United Kingdom late last year.
The matter came to light after the whistleblower flagged suspicious transactions involving high-ranking Bank of Uganda officials. Upon receiving the alarming tip-off, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni ordered the CID and Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) to launch a comprehensive probe into the missing funds.
On Monday, nine officials from the Ministry of Finance were summoned to the CID headquarters in Kibuli, where they were interrogated for hours on Tuesday morning. Following the grilling session, they were detained and transferred to various police cells within the Kampala metropolitan area.
According to sources within the CID, the nine individuals are believed to have critical information concerning the missing 60 billion shillings from Bank of Uganda accounts. The arrested individuals include Lawrence Ssemakula, the Accountant General, as well as Jenifer Muhuriza, Lumala Paul, Mark Kasuku, Mubarak Nsamba, Tonny Yawe, Betinah Nayebare, Judith Ashaba, and Deborah Kasima.
Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke confirmed the arrests, stating that the suspects were transferred from the CID headquarters under heavy escort to police stations in Kira Division and Nateete Police Station in Rubaga Division. “We have nine persons in custody as part of our investigation into the missing funds, and more details will follow,” he added.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have promised to provide further updates as they continue to probe the case of the missing billions.
