The Masaka High Court Judge, Justice Victoria Nakintu Katamba, has dismissed a bail application filed by Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Ssekabira.
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.
However, the judge emphasized that the applicant’s liberty cannot be deferred indefinitely and described the denial of bail as time-bound.
“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.
Justice Katamba further noted that should the state fail, without reasonable cause, to proceed on that date, the court would revisit the applicant’s continued detention and may reconsider the bail application.
Following the ruling, the accused sobbed in frustration as prison warders led him out of the dock to the holding cell.
Earlier, Principal State Attorney Betty Karungi Gafabusa requested the Masaka High Court to adjourn the case to February 4 to allow key parties, including the Minister of Defence and the Inspector General of Police, to file affidavits.
However, defense lawyers led by Samuel Muyizi objected, arguing that the parties were served on January 13 and that the hearing—already postponed to January 27—should proceed. Justice Katamba is expected to rule on that matter soon.
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.
