Uganda’s efforts to fight corruption are facing renewed scrutiny after a major court case involving senior government officials was delayed again—this time to May 2027.
The case, which features former Trade Ministry Permanent Secretary Geraldine Ssali and several Members of Parliament, has now stalled for more than a year. It is being handled by the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court, where Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga recently adjourned proceedings.
At the centre of the delay is a separate legal challenge filed by Paul Akamba in the Constitutional Court of Uganda. Akamba is contesting his prosecution, claiming he was tortured by security agencies and asking the court to dismiss the charges on human rights grounds.
Because of this petition, the main trial cannot proceed until the Constitutional Court makes a ruling—effectively putting the entire case on hold.
Prosecutors allege that between 2019 and 2023, Ssali and her co-accused mishandled about Shs3.8 billion meant to compensate cooperatives that suffered losses during the 1981–1986 liberation war.
Ssali is accused of improperly adding Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society to a supplementary budget, even though it was not on the official list of beneficiaries. She also allegedly approved payments of the same funds to Kirya and Company Advocates in violation of government financial regulations, leading to a loss of public money.
Others charged in the case include lawyer Julius Kirya, Igara East MP Michael Mawanda, Elgon County MP Ignatius Wamakuyu Mudiimi, and Principal Cooperative Officer Leonard Kavundira. Authorities say some suspects linked to the case are still on the run.
The continued delays have sparked fresh debate about how quickly corruption cases—especially those involving powerful figures—are handled in Uganda. Legal challenges and procedural issues have repeatedly slowed down proceedings, raising concerns about accountability.
For many, the stalled trial is becoming a test of whether the justice system can effectively deal with high-level corruption, or whether prolonged delays risk weakening public trust in the fight against graft.
