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Accountant General Lawrence Semakula, along with eight senior officials from the Ministry of Finance, was arrested on February 4, 2025, in connection with a UGX 60 billion heist from the Bank of Uganda (BoU).
The detained officials include Jennifer Muhuruzi (Commissioner), Paul Lumala (IT Systems Officer), Bettina Nayebare (Accountant), Mubarak Nasamba (Principal Accountant), Tony Yawe (Senior IT Officer), Deborah Kusiima (Senior Accountant), Judith Ashaba (Accountant), and Mark Kasuku (IT Specialist). They were apprehended following extensive interrogations at the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) headquarters in Kibuli, Kampala.
The gravity of this scandal is underscored by the positions held by the accused, particularly Semakula, who, as Accountant General, is entrusted with overseeing the nation’s financial integrity. Their arrests have ignited a firestorm of concern regarding the depth of corruption within Uganda’s financial institutions.
Investigations have unveiled a sophisticated scheme wherein the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) was manipulated to divert funds intended for international debt repayments. On September 10, 2024, a payment meant for a World Bank loan was illicitly redirected to an account under the name “Roadway Tokyo Japan.” Similarly, on September 26, UGX 32 billion intended for the African Development Bank was diverted to “MJS International London.”
Forensic audits indicate that IT officers Tony Yawe and Mark Kasuku played pivotal roles in altering payment details, substituting legitimate payees with fraudulent entities. Assistant Commissioner of Treasury Services, Mubarak Nasamba, is alleged to have approved these forged transactions. Despite existing security protocols, these fraudulent payments were processed, and a significant portion of the funds remains unaccounted for.
The CID has signaled that the investigation is ongoing, with the possibility of further arrests as more officials come under scrutiny. Permanent Secretary Ramathan Ggoobi has assured the public of the ministry’s full cooperation with law enforcement agencies, emphasizing that government operations continue uninterrupted.
These developments follow a directive from President Yoweri Museveni in December, mandating a comprehensive investigation into financial malfeasance within the ministry. The arrested officials are anticipated to face charges including abuse of office, embezzlement, causing financial loss, and money laundering.
This incident not only exposes vulnerabilities within Uganda’s financial systems but also raises pressing questions about the efficacy of existing oversight mechanisms. The nation watches closely as the investigation unfolds, demanding accountability and systemic reforms to prevent such breaches in the future.
