The head of the secretariat at the Presidential Advisory Committee on Export and Industrial Development (PACEID), Matthew Bagonza, has been charged with abuse of office and money laundering and remanded to prison until October 5, 2026.
Bagonza appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala on Thursday, where prosecution alleged that he abused his position by registering a private company with objectives similar to those of PACEID and subsequently transferred Shs171.7 million from a PACEID-linked account to his personal account.
According to the charge sheet cited by Ugandan media, the alleged company was incorporated in January 2024 under the name Presidential Initiative on Export and Industrial Development as a private limited company. Prosecutors allege that its objectives were similar to those of Bagonza’s employer and that its incorporation was prejudicial to the interests of the Government of Uganda.
The prosecution alleges that the alleged money transfers occurred between September 1, 2023 and August 30, 2026 through Housing Finance Bank’s Kololo branch.
The money was allegedly moved from an account opened in the name of the Office of the President-Presidential Initiative on Export and Industrial Development to Bagonza’s personal account.
Prosecutors allege that the transfers were intended to conceal or disguise the illicit origin of the funds, which Bagonza allegedly knew or had reason to believe were proceeds of crime.
Bagonza did not enter a plea to the charges because the offences are triable by the High Court. His lawyers also challenged the jurisdiction of the Anti-Corruption Court to handle the matter.
Principal Grade One Magistrate Christopher Opit remanded Bagonza until October 5, 2026, when the case is expected to return to court. Prosecution said investigations are still ongoing.
Rwabwogo attends court
PACEID chairman Odrek Rwabwogo and his wife, Bishop Patience Rwabwogo, were among those who attended Thursday’s proceedings, according to reports.
Bagonza has worked closely with Rwabwogo and heads the secretariat of the presidential advisory committee. Rwabwogo had previously defended Bagonza and called for any allegations against him to be tested before a competent court.
PACEID said last month that it was concerned about Bagonza’s detention and that its priority was to ensure his safety, lawful treatment and due process.
The case follows a public dispute over PACEID that intensified in August after Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba accused the organisation of operating illegally and announced the arrest of some of its officials.
Kainerugaba subsequently confirmed Bagonza’s arrest. Rwabwogo, however, maintained that PACEID was lawfully established and said any change to its mandate should follow due process.
PACEID was commissioned in March 2022 and operates under the Office of the President, with a mandate focused on promoting Ugandan exports, developing markets and supporting industrial development.
The criminal charges against Bagonza remain allegations. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a competent court.
