KAMPALA, Uganda – Former Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Permanent Secretary Geraldine Ssali Busuulwa will have to wait until July 30, 2026, to know the next direction of her high-profile corruption case after the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court suspended proceedings pending a Constitutional Court ruling.
The case, which revolves around the alleged mismanagement of Shs3.8 billion earmarked for compensation to Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society Ltd in Bulambuli District, was adjourned on Friday by Justice Jane Akuo Kajuga.
Ssali appeared before the court alongside her co-accused, Edgar Kavundira, for a scheduled mention of the case. However, Justice Kajuga halted further proceedings pending the determination of a constitutional petition filed by another accused person, Paul Akamba.
Akamba is challenging the legality of his prosecution, arguing that he was subjected to torture and other constitutional violations by security operatives during his arrest. He contends that the charges against him should be dismissed on those grounds.
Shs3.8 Billion Compensation Dispute
The case stems from allegations surrounding government compensation funds intended for Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society Ltd.
Other accused persons include lawyer Julius Kirya, businessman Michael Mawanda, and Ignatius Wamakuyu Mudimi.
According to prosecutors, Mawanda received Shs1 billion in 2021, allegedly to settle debts owed by the cooperative. He is further accused of receiving an additional Shs200 million linked to obligations arising from a case before the Commercial Division of the High Court.
Charges Against Ssali
The prosecution alleges that during the 2021/22 financial year, Ssali abused her office by causing the inclusion of Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society among entities approved for government war-loss compensation despite the cooperative not appearing on a supplementary budget request submitted on August 4, 2021.
State prosecutors contend that her actions were arbitrary and prejudicial to the interests of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives.
Court documents further allege that during the 2021/22 and 2022/23 financial years, Ssali authorized payments totaling Shs3.8 billion to Kirya & Co. Advocates on behalf of the cooperative in contravention of the Treasury Instructions, 2017.
Prosecutors argue that she knew, or ought reasonably to have known, that the payments would occasion financial loss to the Government of Uganda.
Conspiracy and Financial Loss Allegations
The State also accuses Ssali and her co-accused of conspiring between 2019 and 2023 to defraud the government of approximately Shs3.4 billion intended as war-loss compensation for the cooperative.
Kavundira is accused of influencing the leadership of Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society to terminate the services of Anguria & Co. Advocates and instead hire Kirya & Co. Advocates to pursue compensation claims before the ministry.
Prosecutors further allege that Kavundira had insider knowledge of the compensation process through his participation on a government verification committee established to assess compensation claims.
Background to the Compensation Scheme
Government established an inter-ministerial verification committee during the 2016/17 financial year under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives to assess compensation claims submitted by cooperative societies whose assets were destroyed during past wars and political insurgencies.
Before the committee’s establishment, compensation claims were handled by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, which paid out approximately Shs6.97 billion to various cooperatives and unions.
Court records indicate that between the 2016/17 and 2022/23 financial years, the Ministry of Trade processed compensation payments totaling about Shs137.86 billion.
The case is expected to return before the Anti-Corruption Division on July 30, 2026, when the court will receive guidance arising from the Constitutional Court’s decision on Akamba’s petition, a ruling that could significantly influence the future course of the prosecution.