Embattled former trade ministry permanent secretary Geraldine Busuulwa Ssali, will know their bail fate on August 30, 2024.
Ssali is facing corruption charges related to shillings 3.8 billion meant for Buyaka Growers Co-operative Society Ltd, alongside Leonard Kavundira (the principal co-operative officer at the trade ministry).
Others are lawyer Julius Kirya and MPs, Michael Mawanda Muranga (Igara East), Ignatius Wamakuyu Mudiimi (Elgon County), and Paul Akamba (Busiki County).
Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga of the Anti-Corruption Court set Friday, August 30, after hearing the accused’s bail application.
Through her lawyer, Emmanuel Kigenyi, Ssali submitted that she is a responsible citizen as well as the mother of three young children who are dependent on her.
Ssali also said she has a permanent residence at Lubowa estate in Makindye Sabagabo, Wakiso district.
The sureties include her uncle, Joakim Kiwanuka, a retired civil servant with the Bank of Uganda, and Brother Gerald Ssali, working with KPMG Certified Public Accountants, among others.
However, Chief State Prosecutor Edward Muhumuza objected to Ssali’s temporary release on bail on grounds that she would interfere with prosecution witnesses.
“The case against her is serious and involves colossal sums of money, and if released, there is a high risk of her disposing of proceeds of crime and assets,” Muhumuza argued.
Allegations
Prosecution alleges that Ssali, during the financial year 2021/2022, in abuse of her authority, irregularly introduced Buyaka Growers Co-operative Society among the cooperatives to be compensated for the war loss by the government, which was not listed on the request for the supplementary budget dated August 4, 2021.
It is further alleged that Ssali, during the financial years 2021/2022 and 2022/2023, made payments to Kirya and Company Advocates amounting to shillings 3.8 billion meant for Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society in contravention of the Treasury instructions of 2017.
The prosecution added that she did this knowing or having reason to believe that such an act will cause financial loss to the government.
It is alleged that Ssali, together with the five accused persons and others still at large, between 2019 and 2023, conspired to defraud the government of shillings 3.4 billion, which was intended for war loss compensation meant for Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society.
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