CID summons Agora’s Agatha Atuhaire over fraud and money laundering

The Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) has summoned Agatha Atuhaire, an account signatory to Agora Centre for Research Ltd, as investigations into alleged fraud and money laundering intensify.

In a letter dated June 24, 2026, issued from the Kampala Metropolitan North CID headquarters in Kawempe, Atuhaire is directed to appear before detectives on June 30 for interview and statement recording.

According to the letter signed by Regional CID Officer SP Naluzze Rashida, investigators are probing “a case of suspected fraud and money laundering involving Agora Centre for Research Ltd.”

“The purpose hereof is to request you to report to KMP North Regional headquarters, Kawempe on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at 2:00pm for interview and statement recording,” the letter reads.

The summons mark the latest twist in a months-long investigation into the Kampala-based civil society organisation, whose operations were suspended earlier this year after its bank accounts were frozen by the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA).

Agora says the FIA froze its accounts in January 2026 as part of ongoing inquiries into its financial transactions, effectively halting its activities. The authority is mandated under Uganda’s anti-money laundering laws to investigate suspicious financial activity and restrict access to accounts during investigations.

The organisation says it submitted all requested documents to the FIA more than two months ago but has yet to receive feedback on the status of the probe.

In a statement released on June 25, Agora confirmed that both current and former staff members had been summoned by CID.

“Yesterday, current and former members of staff of Agora Centre for Research received summons from CID over allegations of fraud and money laundering,” the organisation said.

While pledging full cooperation with investigators, Agora raised concern over what it described as possible intimidation.

“While we will cooperate fully with lawful processes, we are deeply concerned that these investigations are being used to intimidate and silence a civil society organisation whose work focuses on exposing corruption and promoting accountability,” the statement read.

The group further noted that similar investigations have previously targeted organisations involved in governance and human rights advocacy. Despite the probe, Agora insists it will continue its work.

“Our commitment to exposing corruption, human rights violations and systemic injustice remains unwavering,” the organisation said.

The developments come amid heightened scrutiny of non-governmental organisations in Uganda, particularly those engaged in governance, accountability and anti-corruption work.

Neither CID nor the Financial Intelligence Authority has publicly released detailed findings backing the allegations. Investigations are ongoing, with detectives expected to record statements from key officials as they trace the source and movement of funds linked to the organisation.

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