Kampala, Uganda: The Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court has suspended proceedings in the corruption case involving former Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Permanent Secretary Geraldine Ssali Busuulwa and her co-accused pending a ruling by the Constitutional Court.
The case was adjourned to July 30, 2026, when the court is expected to receive guidance arising from a constitutional petition filed by Paul Akamba, one of the accused persons in the matter.
Ssali and Edgar Kavundira appeared before Justice Jane Akuo Kajuga on Friday for the mention of the case.
However, the judge halted further proceedings pending the Constitutional Court’s determination of Akamba’s petition challenging the legality of his prosecution.
Akamba argues that he was subjected to torture by security operatives during his arrest and contends that the charges against him should be dismissed on constitutional grounds.
Shs3.8 Billion Compensation Dispute
The case stems from allegations surrounding the management of Shs3.8 billion earmarked for compensation to Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society Ltd in Bulambuli District.
Other accused persons include lawyer Julius Kirya, Michael Mawanda and Ignatius Wamakuyu Mudimi.
According to prosecution, Mawanda allegedly received Shs1 billion in 2021, which was purportedly used to settle debts owed by Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society. Prosecutors further allege that he later received an additional Shs200 million linked to obligations arising from a Commercial Division High Court case.
Charges Against Ssali
The State alleges that during the 2021/22 financial year, Ssali abused her office by irregularly including Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society among entities approved for government war-loss compensation despite the cooperative not appearing in a supplementary budget request submitted on August 4, 2021.
Prosecutors contend that the decision was arbitrary and prejudicial to the interests of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives.
The prosecution further alleges that during the 2021/22 and 2022/23 financial years, Ssali authorised payments totalling Shs3.8 billion to Kirya & Co Advocates on behalf of the cooperative in contravention of the Treasury Instructions, 2017.
According to court documents, prosecutors believe she knew, or ought to have known, that the actions would result in financial loss to government.
Conspiracy and Financial Loss Allegations
The State also alleges that between 2019 and 2023, Ssali and the co-accused conspired with others still at large to defraud the Government of Uganda of Shs3.4 billion intended as war-loss compensation for Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society.
Kavundira is accused of influencing the leadership of the cooperative to terminate the services of Anguria & Co Advocates and instead engage Kirya & Co Advocates to pursue compensation claims before the ministry.
Prosecutors further allege that Kavundira had prior knowledge of the compensation process through his role on a verification committee established to handle claims.
Background to Compensation Payments
Government established an inter-ministerial committee in the 2016/17 financial year under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives to verify compensation claims submitted by cooperative societies whose assets were destroyed during past wars and political insurgencies.
Before the committee was created, such claims were handled by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, which paid out Shs6.97 billion to various cooperatives and unions.
According to records presented in court, compensation payments amounting to approximately Shs137.86 billion were processed through the Ministry of Trade between the 2016/17 and 2022/23 financial years.
The case will return to court on July 30 pending the Constitutional Court’s ruling on Akamba’s petition.
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