BoU sh60b heist: Semakula, eight others demand speedy trial

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The nine interdicted finance ministry officials, including former Accountant General Lawrence Ssemakula, charged with corruption in connection to the alleged sh60 billion Bank of Uganda (BoU) heist, are demanding a speedy trial.

During a session at the Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court on Thursday, April 3, 2025, defence lawyer Mwesigwa Rukutana stated that his clients want a speedy trial and expect investigations to be concluded promptly, to enable them to prepare their defence.

The court was presided over by Chief Magistrate Racheal Nakyazze.

Rukutana emphasised the importance of adhering to the accused’s constitutional right to a speedy trial, despite the court’s guidelines and timelines for investigations.

“By now, we expect a discovery in the investigations to be concluded so that our clients prepare their case,” Rukutana stated.

In response, Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka informed the court that investigations into the matter were progressing well, although they are not yet complete.

“We are trying our best to expedite investigations within the given six-month timeframe, and very soon, we will settle this matter to ensure the accused persons receive a speedy and just trial,” he said.

This prompted the magistrate to adjourn the case to April 17, this year.

The case

Semnakula faces charges of corruption alongside Jennifer Muhuruzi, 55, (commissioner treasury services); Pedson Twesigomwe, 45, (Assistant Commissioner Accounts) and Paul Nkalubo Lumala, 40, (IT systems officer).

Others include Deborah Dorothy Kusiima, 33, (senior accountant), Judith Ashaba, 43, (accountant), Bettina Nayebare, 31, (research assistant accountant), Tony Yawe,46, (senior IT officer) and Mark Kasiiku, 33, (IT specialist).

The accused persons are also battling charges of causing financial loss, money laundering and electronic fraud.

Prosecution alleges that Ssemakula and Muhuruzi between January and October 2024, at the finance ministry at Plot 2-8, Sir Apollo Kaggwa Road, in Kampala City, neglected to put in place effective systems to safeguard public funds, which resulted in a financial loss of $6,525,852 (about sh23.9b), to the Government.

It is purported that Twesigomwe, Kusiima and Lumala between September 9 and 11, 2024, at the finance ministry headquarters in Kampala, participated as accomplices, in the commission of the offence of corruption, when they allegedly concealed the irregular payment of $6,134,137 (sh22.5b) to an unauthorised payee in the name of Roadway Company Limited.

Yawe is accused of irregularly altering the payment instructions for sh22.5b that was supposed to be paid to the International Development Association for principal and interest by substituting the intended payee with Roadway Company Limited purporting to be payment for recycling plant and machinery, for purposes of illicitly obtaining benefits for the said company.

He allegedly committed the offence between September 9 and 11, 2024, at the finance ministry headquarters offices in Kampala.

Prosecution also alleges that between September 20, and October 1, 2024, at the finance ministry offices in Kampala, Kasiiku, manipulated the payment instruction files in respect of $391,720, (sh1,4b), which was supposed to be paid to the International Development Association to MJS International London, a company that was not entitled to the said payment.

Prosecution alleges that Yawe in January 2024 at the finance ministry headquarters in Kampala, by means of deception and with the intention of securing an unlawful gain, deliberately manipulated the payment instruction files of the integrated financial management system by altering the payment details from International Development Association Washington, who was the intended payee, $6,674,320 (sh24.5b) to an unintended payee in the name of International Development Association Sielska, Poznan, Poland.

According to prosecution, Yawe abused the authority of his office by allegedly committing the arbitrary act, which is prejudicial to the interests of his employer (Government).

On the other hand, Kasiiku is accused of introducing executable-like scripts on the oracle programme on the integrated financial management system that resulted into an authorised payment of $8,596,824 (sh31.5b) to MJS International London, between September 23, 2024 and September 27, 2024.

Yawe, Twesigomwe, Kusiima, Nayebare, Lumala and Kasiiku were also charged with money laundering, contrary to section 3 (b)., 116 and 136 (a) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act. The offence elicits a 15-year jail term or a fine not exceeding sh2b, on conviction.