Uganda’s Anti-Corruption Court has charged Matthew Bagonza, the Head of Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID), with money laundering over the alleged transfer of Shs171 million from PACEID to his personal bank account.
Bagonza, who is also an aide to PACEID Chairman Odrek Rwabwogo, was arrested and detained at Entebbe before being transferred to Kampala to face the charges.
He presides over Executive Committee meetings, appoints other committee chairpersons and members and he is the primary spokesperson for PACEID to the media and external groups. He works closely with the Head of Secretariat to make sure the Executive Committee’s actions are in line with PACEID’s bylaws, goals and mission.
He appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court where prosecutors accused him of allegedly transferring Shs171 million from PACEID funds to a personal bank account.
Court is expected to handle the matter in accordance with the applicable legal procedure, with the prosecution required to take the case before a court with the jurisdiction to hear the charge.
Bagonza’s arrest and subsequent appearance in court come amid increased scrutiny of the management and utilisation of funds under PACEID, a presidential advisory body established to support Uganda’s export growth, industrial development and investment agenda.
As Head of Secretariat, Bagonza has been involved in coordinating the committee’s technical and administrative work and supporting its programmes and engagements.
He has also been closely associated with Rwabwogo, who chairs PACEID and has been spearheading the government’s efforts to promote Uganda’s exports, value addition and industrialisation.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged transfer of the Shs171 million, including the purpose of the transaction and how the funds were allegedly moved into Bagonza’s personal account, are expected to form part of the prosecution’s case.
