The Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court has once again adjourned the Shs3.8 billion corruption case involving former Trade Ministry Permanent Secretary Geraldine Ssali and several co-accused, pending a ruling from the Constitutional Court.
Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga on Tuesday ruled that the criminal proceedings cannot continue until the Constitutional Court determines a constitutional petition challenging aspects of the prosecution process.
The petition, filed by Busiki County MP Paul Akamba—one of the accused persons—contests the legality of his arrest and detention, alleging violations of his constitutional rights. He is seeking to have the charges dismissed, arguing that he was subjected to unlawful treatment by security agencies.
Ms Ssali and her co-accused face charges including abuse of office, conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the government. The charges relate to the alleged irregular handling of Shs3.8 billion earmarked as compensation for Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society.
According to the prosecution, between 2021 and 2023, the accused persons allegedly facilitated the inclusion of the cooperative on a list of beneficiaries under the war-loss compensation programme. The funds were reportedly processed through Kirya and Company Advocates, in breach of public finance regulations and Treasury instructions.
Court documents show that this is not the first interruption in the case, as earlier proceedings were also halted to allow constitutional issues raised by the defence to be determined.
Justice Kajuga maintained the bail terms for all accused persons and adjourned the matter to May, pending the outcome of the Constitutional Court ruling, which is expected to determine whether the trial proceeds or is discontinued.
The case remains one of Uganda’s prominent corruption trials, drawing attention due to its scale and the constitutional questions surrounding its prosecution.
