KAMPALA, UGANDA – The Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court has once again adjourned the Shs3.8 billion corruption case involving former Ministry of Trade Permanent Secretary Geraldine Ssali and several co-accused, pending a determination by the Constitutional Court.
The decision was made on April 21, 2026, by Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga, who ruled that the criminal proceedings cannot proceed until the Constitutional Court resolves a petition challenging the legality of certain aspects of the prosecution.
Constitutional Challenge Halts Proceedings
The petition was filed by Busiki County MP Paul Akamba, one of the accused in the case. He is contesting the legality of his arrest and detention, arguing that his constitutional rights were violated during his apprehension by security agencies.
Akamba is seeking dismissal of the charges on grounds of unlawful treatment, a matter now central to whether the trial will continue or be terminated.
Serious Corruption Charges
Ssali and her co-accused face multiple charges, including abuse of office, conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, and causing financial loss to government.
Prosecution alleges that between 2021 and 2023, the accused irregularly facilitated the inclusion of Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society on a list of beneficiaries under a war-loss compensation programme.
The funds in question—amounting to Shs3.8 billion—are said to have been processed through Kirya and Company Advocates in breach of public finance regulations and Treasury instructions.
Previous Delays in Trial
Court records indicate that this is not the first time the case has been interrupted, as earlier proceedings were also halted to allow constitutional questions raised by the defence to be addressed.
Justice Kajuga maintained the existing bail terms for all accused persons and adjourned the matter to May, pending the outcome of the Constitutional Court’s decision.
High-Profile Case Under Watch
The case remains one of Uganda’s most closely watched corruption trials due to its scale, the seniority of the accused, and the constitutional issues surrounding its prosecution.
The upcoming ruling from the Constitutional Court is expected to determine whether the trial proceeds, is modified, or is discontinued entirely.
