Kampala – Our esteemed Trade Ministry Permanent Secretary, Geraldine Ssali, has found herself at the centre of a scandal hotter than a Kampala boda-boda ride at noon . Ssali, now a reluctant guest at the Kiira Road Police Station, is preparing for her grand appearance at the Anti-Corruption Court on Friday.
Ssali, in what can only be described as a twist of fate, walked into the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) in Kampala on Thursday, only to be greeted with handcuffs instead of the usual pleasantries. Her scheduled charges include the classic Ugandan political drama staples: abuse of office and a sprinkling of conspiracy to defraud.
Joining Ssali in this courtroom blockbuster are three Members of Parliament: Michael Mawanda of Igara East, Mudimi Wamakuyu of Elgon County, and Paul Akamba of Busiki County. Also on the docket are Leonard Kavundira, the Assistant Registrar of Co-operatives, and the ever-present lawyer Julius Kirya. It seems the government is staging an ensemble cast worthy of the national theatre.
| Name | Role | Alleged Crime |
|---|---|---|
| Geraldine Ssali | Permanent Secretary, Trade Ministry | Abuse of office, conspiracy to defraud |
| Michael Mawanda | MP, Igara East | Diverting public funds |
| Mudimi Wamakuyu | MP, Elgon County | Diverting public funds |
| Paul Akamba | MP, Busiki County | Diverting public funds |
| Leonard Kavundira | Assistant Registrar, Co-operatives | Conspiracy to defraud |
| Julius Kirya | Lawyer | Conspiracy to defraud |
The charges against these illustrious individuals involve a staggering Sh7.3 billion that was supposedly meant for the Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society Ltd. The alleged crimes span from 2019 to 2023, during which time these funds apparently took unexpected detours into private pockets.
According to the prosecution, Mawanda has a penchant for misplacing public funds, allegedly diverting Sh150 million in October 2021. Wamakuyu and Akamba, not to be outdone, are accused of pocketing Sh2.3 billion and Sh200 million, respectively. Kirya, the lawyer, allegedly siphoned off Sh2.2 billion. One wonders if they held seminars on fund diversion, considering their alleged efficiency.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit, led by Brigadier General Henry Isoke, has been hot on the trail, working with the CID to bring these accusations to light. The initial charges were sanctioned on June 21, 2024, with four of the accused already having faced the court’s stern gaze. Now, with Ssali’s arrest, the drama reaches its crescendo.
No Ugandan scandal would be complete without a subplot involving dubious financial maneuvers. Enter the Bwavumpologoma Growers Cooperative Union, which received a hefty UGX 2.744 billion from the government. Of this amount, UGX 936 million found its way to Victor Busuulwa, Ssali’s husband, as a “token of appreciation.” The cooperative also graciously lent him UGX 150 million in cash.
| Recipient | Amount (UGX) | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Victor Busuulwa | 936 million | “Token of appreciation” |
| Victor Busuulwa | 150 million | Loan |
| Total | 1.086 billion |
The Committee on Tourism, Trade, and Industry was not amused. They discovered that on November 25, 2021, the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives paid UGX 1.744 billion to the Masaka Diocesan Treasury on behalf of the cooperative, even before it was re-registered and verified. Ssali, who began her role in August 2021, is now accused of using her position to influence these payments.
Stay tuned for more updates on this gripping tale of power, money, and betrayal.
