Matthew Bagonza, the Head of Secretariat at the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID), has been granted cash bail of Shs20 million by the Anti-Corruption Court as he faces charges of abuse of office and money laundering.
Bagonza appeared before the court on Wednesday, where Justice Jane Kajuga granted him bail and ordered him to provide two sureties, each required to execute a non-cash bond of Shs30 million.
The court also ordered Bagonza to surrender his passport and two land titles as additional security. One of the land titles belongs to him, while the other belongs to his sister.
As part of the bail conditions, Bagonza was barred from travelling outside Uganda without the court’s permission. He was also directed to report to the court registrar whenever his case comes up for mention.
Bagonza is facing charges arising from allegations that he transferred Shs171 million from a Finance Trust Bank account at the Kololo branch, reportedly opened in PACEID’s name, to his personal bank account.
He was charged on September 17 and has since denied the allegations.
Bagonza serves as an aide to PACEID chairman Odrek Rwabwogo.
The case is expected to proceed through the court process, with the prosecution required to prove the charges against Bagonza. He remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a competent court.
