The High Court’s Anti-Corruption Division granted bail to six out of nine Ministry of Finance officials implicated in the Shs 60 billion Bank of Uganda heist, while two remain remanded.
Those released on bail include Accountant General Lawrence Ssemakula, Commissioner Treasury Services Jennifer Muhuruzi, Dorothy Kusiima, Judith Ashaba, Nkakubo Lumala, and Betinah Nayebare. Justice Lawrence Gidudu ruled that Ssemakula and Muhuruzi, being accused of supervisory lapses rather than direct theft, were eligible for release under strict conditions.
Each of them was required to pay Shs 30 million in cash, deposit their land titles and passports with the court, and present four sureties who executed a non-cash bond of Shs 300 million.
Meanwhile, the other four accused Nkalubo, Kusiima, Ashaba, and Nayebare were released on cash bail of Shs 25 million and Shs 20 million, respectively. They were also ordered to deposit their passports and prohibited from returning to the Ministry of Finance offices without court approval.
“Each person released on bail shall report to the Registrar of this court once every month starting April 3, 2025. If any applicant fails to meet the terms, he/she shall be remanded to appear before the magistrate for mention of their case,” Justice Gidudu ruled.
However, two other suspects, Tony Yawe and Mark Kasiiku, remain on remand and are set to appear before the Chief Magistrate for further proceedings.
The case, which involves the alleged misappropriation of Shs 60 billion meant for government operations, has sparked national outrage, with calls for accountability and stringent measures to curb corruption within key government institutions.
