The Ministry of Trade Permanent Secretary, Geraldine Ssali will spend the weekend in the coolers of Luzira prison after being remanded by the Anti Corruption Court over cooperatives cash.
On Friday, Ssali who is accused together with MPs Micheal Mawanda, Ignatius Wamakuyu, and Paul Akamba and lawyer Julius Kirya Taitankonko as Leonard Kavundira, the principle co-operative officer at the Trade ministry were made to stand in the same dock.
However, she could not take plea on the money laundering charge which is capital in nature and can only be tried by the High Court.
Prosecution alleges that Geradline Ssali, during the financial year 2021/ 2022 and 2022/ 2023 irregularly introduced Buyaka Growers Co-operative Society among those to be compensated by government for the war loss yet it had not been listed for a supplementary budget of August 2021.
It is further alleged that Ssali in further performance of her duties, made irregular payments to a tune of Shs3.868 billion to Kirya and Company Advocates, a law firm belonging to co-suspect lawyer Julius Kirya Taitankonko, under the guise of compensating war victims of Buyaka Growers well knowing that her actions will cause government a financial loss because the said payment was in contravention of the Treasury instructions of 2017.
She is also accused of conspiring with Igara East MP Micheal Mawanda, Elgon County MP Iganatius Wamakuyu, Busiki County MP Paul Akamba, lawyer Kirya and Kavundira to defraud the government of Shs3.4 billion which was intended to compensate war victims for Buyaka Growers Co-operative society.
Chief State Attorney Edward Muhumuza told court that investigations into the matter are complete and ready for committal and trial by High Court to begin.
Chief Magistrate, Joan Aciro remanded Ssali to Luzira until
