Nine Ministry of Finance Officials Committed to High Court Over Shs60 Billion Heist

KAMPALA — March 3, 2026

Nine senior officials from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development have been committed to the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court to stand trial over their alleged involvement in the Shs60 billion public funds heist, in what prosecutors describe as one of the most serious financial scandals to hit government in recent years.

The officials were committed after the Directorate of Public Prosecutions concluded investigations and informed the Anti-Corruption Court that it had gathered sufficient evidence to proceed with trial before the High Court, which has jurisdiction over capital and serious economic crimes.

The Accused

Those committed to stand trial include:Lawrence Ssemakula, former Accountant GeneralJennifer Muhuruzi, Acting Director of Treasury Services and Asset ManagementTonny Yawe, Senior IT OfficerPaul Nkalubo Lumala, Systems IT OfficerDeborah Dorothy Kusiima, Senior AccountantJudith Ashaba, AccountantBettina Nayebare, Research Assistant AccountantMark Kasiiku, IT Systems OfficerPedson Twesigomwe, Assistant Commissioner AccountsThey face multiple charges, including corruption, causing financial loss, abuse of office, electronic fraud and money laundering.

Alleged Scheme

According to court documents, the case stems from transactions processed in 2024 in which approximately Shs60 billion was allegedly irregularly transferred from government accounts held at the Bank of Uganda.

The funds were reportedly earmarked for legitimate government obligations, including external debt servicing and international financial commitments.

However, investigators allege that the money was diverted to foreign entities in the United Kingdom and Japan through manipulated payment instructions and altered beneficiary details.

Prosecution contends that the accused either directly participated in the fraudulent transactions or neglected established safeguards, thereby enabling the diversion of public funds.

In one of the transactions under scrutiny, investigators allege that about USD 6.1 million (approximately Shs22 billion) intended for the International Development Association was instead wired to a company based in Tokyo, Japan.

Authorities maintain that the incident was not the result of an external cyberattack but rather an internal manipulation of payment systems within the finance ministry’s operational structure.

Legal ImplicationsIf convicted, the accused officials face significant prison sentences under Uganda’s Anti-Corruption Act and related financial crimes legislation.

The state is also expected to pursue recovery of the allegedly lost funds through asset tracing and forfeiture proceedings.

The trial is expected to draw national attention given its implications for public financial management, institutional oversight, and accountability within key government departments.

The High Court is expected to fix hearing dates in the coming weeks.