Ex-Trade PS Ssali returns to Court over Shs 3.8Bn Scandal
Former Trade Ministry Permanent Secretary Geraldine Ssali Busulwa is set to face the heat once again as she returns to the Anti-Corruption Court this Wednesday, June 17, in a high-stakes corruption case . Ssali, once a powerful figure in government corridors, will appear alongside five co-accused persons as proceedings resume before Lady Justice Jane Okuo […] The post Ex-Trade PS Ssali returns to Court over Shs 3.8Bn Scandal appeared first on Daily Star.
Black News 
Former Trade Ministry Permanent Secretary Geraldine Ssali Busulwa is set to face the heat once again as she returns to the Anti-Corruption Court this Wednesday, June 17, in a high-stakes corruption case .
Ssali, once a powerful figure in government corridors, will appear alongside five co-accused persons as proceedings resume before Lady Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga at the High Court’s Anti-Corruption Division in Nakasero.
Court documents show the session, scheduled for 9:00am, will be a crucial mention to determine the next move in a case that has gripped the public over alleged abuse of office and multi-billion shilling fraud.
The State, led by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, has lined up a formidable case against Ssali and her co-accused, including legislators Michael Mawanda (Igara East) and Ignatius Wamakuyu Mudimi (Elgon County), lawyer Julius Kirya, Paul Akamba, and Leonard Kavundira.
They are accused of playing different roles in a scheme that allegedly led to the mismanagement and irregular payout of billions of taxpayer money under government programmes run through the Office of the Prime Minister.
Court has warned the accused not to take the summons lightly.
“If you fail to appear, the matter will proceed in your absence,” the notice reads, signaling zero tolerance for delays in the already sensitive case.
At the center of the storm is a controversial Shs 3.8 billion compensation meant for Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society in Bulambuli District—money prosecutors say was irregularly processed and paid out.
Ssali, who served as both Principal Secretary and Accounting Officer, is accused of abusing her authority by sneaking the cooperative onto a compensation list despite it not appearing in the official supplementary budget.
Prosecutors further claim she authorized massive payments to Kirya & Co Advocates in blatant violation of Treasury rules, actions they say caused financial loss to government.
The State alleges that between 2019 and 2023, Ssali and her co-accused conspired to defraud government of up to Shs 3.4 billion in what investigators describe as a well-orchestrated scheme.
Meanwhile, Mawanda is said to have pocketed Shs 1 billion, allegedly used to clear debts of the cooperative, and an additional Shs 200 million linked to a court case settlement.
Kavundira, on the other hand, is accused of influencing decisions within the ministry, including pushing for a change of lawyers handling the compensation claim. Despite the weighty accusations, all the accused have denied wrongdoing.
Earlier proceedings hit a snag after Busiki County MP Paul Akamba challenged his trial, claiming he was tortured during arrest—a petition now before the Constitutional Court.
Legal watchers say Wednesday’s appearance could shape the direction of the trial, including timelines for witnesses and evidence.
Once a respected technocrat, Ssali now finds herself fighting for both her freedom and reputation in one of Uganda’s most closely watched anti-corruption battles. With billions at stake and high-profile names involved, all eyes will be on Nakasero as the courtroom drama unfolds.
The post Ex-Trade PS Ssali returns to Court over Shs 3.8Bn Scandal appeared first on Daily Star.
