July 21, 2024. The State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU), in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), arraigned three MPs, Permanent Secretary and other officials before the Anti-Corruption Court on charges of Diversion of Funds and Conspiracy to Defraud. The accused include:

  1. Mrs. Geraldine Ssali Busuulwa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives
  2. Hon. Mawanda Michael Maranga, MP for Igara East, Bushenyi District
  3. Hon. Wamakuyu Ignatius Mudimi, MP for Elgon County, Bulambuli District
  4. Hon. Akamba Paul, MP for Busiki County, Namutumba District
  5. Mr. Kirya Julius of Kirya & Co. Advocates
  6. Mr. Leonard Kavundira, Principal Cooperatives Officer, Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives
  7. Others still at large

The accused were charged for allegedly conspiring to divert over UGX 3.4 billion intended for war loss compensation to Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society in Bulambuli District. The funds were fraudulently redirected for personal gain.

Mrs. Busuulwa allegedly abused her office by irregularly adding Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society to the list of compensation beneficiaries in the 2021/22 financial year, despite the cooperative not being initially listed. She then conspired with others to divert the UGX 3.4 billion to Kirya & Co. Advocates, resulting in financial loss to the government.

PS, Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, Geraldine Ssali Busuulwa, being escorted to court by prison officers.

The accused were remanded and will appear before the court again on July 9, 2024, with Geraldine Ssali Busuulwa’s case committed to the High Court for further proceedings.