Fr Deusdedit Ssekabira
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Fr Deusdedit Ssekabira remanded in prison after being formally charged before the Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court with money laundering involving at least Shs500 million, allegedly concealed through a local commercial bank.
The long-missing Catholic priest, Fr Ssekabira, 47, was on Tuesday produced in court and charged under the Anti-Money Laundering Act. Fr Ssekabira is a Ugandan national and the resident priest of Bumangi Catholic Parish on the Sesse Islands in Kalangala District.
According to the charge sheet, the priest is accused of money laundering contrary to Sections 3(b), 119 and 139(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, Cap 118. Prosecutors allege that between 2023 and 2025, Fr Ssekabira, together with other persons still at large, deliberately concealed or disguised the true ownership of Shs500 million deposited or transacted through Centenary Bank, Masaka Branch.
“The accused intentionally concealed or disguised the true ownership of Uganda shillings five hundred million, knowing or suspecting such property to be the proceeds of crime,” the charge sheet reads.
The prosecution maintains that the alleged offences were committed within Masaka District and involved financial transactions that raised suspicion regarding the source and ownership of the funds. Investigators contend that the transactions were structured in a manner that suggested deliberate attempts to hide the origin and control of the money.
When Fr Ssekabira appeared before the chief magistrate, he did not take plea because money laundering is a capital offence that is triable only by the High Court. The magistrate consequently ordered that he be remanded to prison pending further proceedings.
State prosecutors informed court that investigations into the alleged money laundering scheme were still ongoing. They added that additional suspects believed to be connected to the transactions had not yet been arrested and requested the court to fix a mention date as inquiries continue.
The case has attracted widespread public attention due to Fr Ssekabira’s position as a Catholic priest and his recent disappearance, which had caused anxiety among members of the clergy and the faithful.
Church authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the charges. However, sources indicated that the Diocese has been cooperating with investigators since concerns over the priest’s whereabouts and financial dealings first emerged.
Under Uganda’s Anti-Money Laundering Act, a conviction carries severe penalties, including a lengthy prison sentence and forfeiture of property found to be proceeds of crime.
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