Masaka High Court judge Justice Victoria Nakintu has ordered the release of Fr. Deusdedit Ssekabira after he spent over two months in prison.
Fr. Ssekabira, a priest of Masaka Diocese and a curate at Bumangi Parish, is facing charges of money laundering. He was reportedly abducted by men dressed in military uniforms traveling in a drone vehicle on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
Earlier this year, through his lawyers Samuel Muyizi and Sam Ssekyewa, Fr. Ssekabira applied for bail, arguing that he is a priest with a fixed place of residence and that he would faithfully report to court whenever required.
His proposed sureties included Rev. Fr. Dr. Jude Jjuuko, the Secretary of Masaka Diocese; Andrew Matove Kabulasoke, the accused’s brother; and Kalungu West Member of Parliament Joseph Ssewungu.
The Masaka State Prosecutor, Deborah Itwawu, opposed the application, challenging the suitability of the sureties. She argued that MP Ssewungu is too busy to effectively ensure the accused reports to court, that the accused’s brother is too young to stand surety, and that Fr. Jjuuko may not be able to meet the bond conditions should the accused abscond. She therefore prayed that court dismisses the application.
In her ruling, Justice Katamba stated that the court did not find merit in the bail application. She noted that while the court had considered the applicant’s personal circumstances, the substance of the sureties, the presumption of innocence, and the constitutional right to apply for bail, these factors did not outweigh the gravity of the offense, public interest, and the need to safeguard the integrity and expeditious conduct of the trial.
“The court is persuaded that the public interest in the prompt and effective prosecution of a serious economic offense must, for the moment, prevail,” the judge ruled.
“The application for bail is denied at this stage. Prosecution is directed to be fully trial-ready and to proceed with the criminal case on the 10th day of February, 2026,” the court ruled.
Earlier today, Presiding Judge Lady Justice Victoria Nakintu ruled that the priest had presented substantial sureties, paving the way for his release—a decision that was met with jubilation among members of the Catholic community.
The court granted Shs15 million cash bail, while each of his sureties was bonded Shs50 million non-cash. The judge also ordered Fr. Ssekabira to deposit his passport with the court.
Prosecution alleges that Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Ssekabira and others still at large, between 2023 and 2025 at Centenary Bank, Masaka Branch, intentionally concealed or disguised the true ownership of Shs 500 million, knowing or suspecting the money to be proceeds of crime.
