By Spy Uganda
In a significant ruling, the High Court Civil Division in Kampala has dismissed an application from former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, Ms. Geraldine Ssali, challenging the findings of a parliamentary committee that recommended her prosecution over the alleged mismanagement of taxpayer funds.
Justice Musa Ssekaana, in his ruling delivered on February 14, 2025, rejected Ms. Ssali’s claim that she had been denied a fair hearing during the committee’s inquiry. The former PS had argued that she was not given the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses, an allegation the court found unsubstantiated. Justice Ssekaana emphasized that the parliamentary committee had acted within its legal mandate and pointed out that parliamentary proceedings do not require the strict fairness standards outlined in the Constitution for court trials.
The ruling stressed that administrative bodies like parliamentary committees operate under different procedures than courts, and their inquisitorial approach to gathering evidence was deemed appropriate and fair in this case. According to Ssekaana, there was no evidence of bias from the committee’s chairperson or members.
Background to the Case
Ms. Ssali’s troubles began after a report by the Parliamentary Committee on Trade in August 2023 accused her of financial mismanagement while serving as accounting officer for the Ministry of Trade. The committee, led by Mbarara City South MP Mwine Mpaka, recommended her removal and prosecution, citing multiple financial irregularities that allegedly violated several laws, including the Public Finance Management Act.
Key allegations against her included approving questionable cash advances, such as Shs570 million for transport and Shs1 billion for office furniture that was never delivered. She was also accused of inflating renovation costs for the Ministry’s headquarters from Shs4.6 billion to Shs6.2 billion and misappropriating Shs200 million intended for staff laptops.
Despite these findings, Ms. Ssali sought to overturn the committee’s recommendations, arguing that the committee overstepped its authority and violated her rights by denying her a fair chance to defend herself. However, the court sided with the Attorney General, affirming that the committee had acted within its lawful powers to investigate and assess the use of public funds.
Ongoing Legal Challenges
Following the High Court ruling, Ms. Ssali has been charged with multiple offenses, including abuse of office, financial loss, and conspiracy, in the Anti-Corruption Court. She has been granted bail but continues to face legal battles.
One of the key charges against her involves the alleged illegal payment of Shs3.86 billion to the law firm Kirya & Company Advocates, a firm owned by her co-accused Julius Kirya Taitankonko. This payment was supposedly made to compensate war victims from Buyaka Growers Cooperative, but it reportedly violated Treasury Instructions, leading to significant financial loss.
Additionally, Ms. Ssali faces accusations of conspiring with others, including MPs and a lawyer, to defraud the government of Shs3.4 billion. However, the trial of the co-accused has been temporarily suspended as the Constitutional Court considers a related human rights application.
