By Peter Luzinda
The Anti-Corruption Court has issued criminal summons for former Ministry of Trade Permanent Secretary Geraldine Ssali, after she failed to appear for the mention of a Shs3.8 billion fraud case linked to alleged irregular payments from the government’s war-loss compensation funds.
The summons were issued by Acting Assistant Registrar Patrick Talisuna, following a request from prosecutors who informed the court that while all other accused persons were present, Ssali had not communicated any reason for her absence. The case has been adjourned to February 5, 2026, with bail for the remaining accused extended.
Ssali is charged alongside Igara East MP Michael Mawanda, Elgon County MP Ignatius Mudimi, Busiki County MP Paul Akamba, lawyer Julius Taitankoko Kirya, and Leonard Kavundira, a cooperative officer in the Trade Ministry. The group faces multiple counts including abuse of office, conspiracy to defraud, causing financial loss, and money laundering.
Prosecution alleges that during the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 financial years, Ssali illegally added Buyaka Growers Co-operative Society to the list of groups eligible for war-loss compensation – despite the group not appearing anywhere in the approved supplementary budget.
It is further alleged that she authorised payments totalling Shs3.8 billion to Kirya & Company Advocates, a law firm owned by co-accused Taitankoko, purportedly on behalf of claimants seeking war-loss compensation. Investigators say these payments violated the 2017 Treasury Instructions and caused substantial financial loss to government.
This is the latest development in a case that has drawn national attention. Ssali was earlier remanded to Luzira Prison on related charges before securing bail. The broader case was briefly halted in October after the court agreed to first consider MP Akamba’s application to the Constitutional Court, in which he argues that his prosecution violates his rights.
The Anti-Corruption Court’s summons now sets the stage for what is expected to be a closely watched hearing early next year, as authorities continue tightening scrutiny on misuse of public funds.