The Anti-Corruption Court has issued criminal summons for former Trade Ministry Permanent Secretary Geraldine Ssali over shs 3.8billion Fraud case.
This came after Ms Ssali failed to appear for the mention of a Shs3.8 billion fraud case in which she is jointly charged with three Members of Parliament (MPs) and other officials.
During Monday’s session, acting Assistant Registrar Patrick Talisuna issued the summons after prosecution informed court that Ms Ssali was absent without any communication.
Senior State Attorney Raymond Mugisa told court that “the accused are present except for ‘accused six (A6)’. We seek criminal summons for A6, and we await communication from the Constitutional Court regarding the human rights application filed, which has an impact on this case.”
The case was scheduled for mention as the parties await a ruling from the Constitutional Court on an application filed by Busiki County MP Paul Akamba, who seeks dismissal of the charges, claiming his human rights were violated during arrest and prosecution.
Counsel holding brief for Ms Ssali’s lawyer told court that her surety, Kiwanuka, was present but offered no explanation for her absence.
Meanwhile, lawyer Sydney Odong, representing MP Akamba, asked court to set a new mention date after the general elections, “owing to what is going on.”
Registrar Talisuna adjourned the matter to February 5, 2026, extending bail for all accused persons except Ms Ssali.
“Bail for the accused persons is extended. Criminal summons are issued for A6,” he ruled.
Ms Ssali is jointly charged with MPs Michael Mawanda, Ignatius Mudimi Wamakuyu, and Paul Akamba, alongside lawyer Julius Taitankoko Kirya and principal cooperative officer Leonard Kavundira.
The group faces charges of abuse of office, conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, and causing financial loss in relation to compensation funds meant for Buyaka Growers Co-operative Society.
Prosecution alleges that during the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 financial years, Ms Ssali irregularly added Buyaka Growers Co-operative Society to the list of groups eligible for war-loss compensation, despite the group not appearing in the approved supplementary budget.
It is further alleged that she authorized irregular payments totaling Shs3.8 billion to Kirya and Company Advocates, a law firm owned by co-accused lawyer Taitankoko, purportedly to compensate war-loss claimants.
The state contends the payments violated the 2017 Treasury Instructions and caused financial loss to government. The accused MPs are alleged to have conspired with Ms Ssali and other officials to divert the funds.
In October, trial judge Justice Jane Kajuga Akuo halted proceedings after ruling that the court must first determine MP Akamba’s human rights application against the Attorney General.
“The law is clear. The trial judge is required to determine the application before proceeding,” Justice Kajuga stated.
With the latest adjournment, the case returns to court on February 5, 2026, pending guidance from the Constitutional Court.