Eronda
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- Dec 16, 2025
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The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has charged and remanded to prison Mathew Bagonza, an aide to Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID) chairman Odrek Rwabwogo, over alleged abuse of office and money laundering.
Bagonza appeared before Principal Grade One Magistrate Christopher Opit on Thursday, where the charges were read to him.
Prosecution led by Teopista Nnam and Viola Tusingwire from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) alleged that in January 2024, Bagonza, while serving as head of the PACEID secretariat under the Office of the President, abused his office by irregularly registering and incorporating Presidential Initiative on Export and Industrial Development as a private limited company.
Prosecution alleged that the company had objectives similar to those of his employer and that its registration was prejudicial to the interests of PACEID and the Government of Uganda.
The prosecution said the alleged conduct contravened Section 10(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act.
Bagonza is also accused of transferring Shs171.7 million from an account he had opened in the name of Presidential Initiative on Export and Industrial Development to his personal account.
Prosecution alleged that the transfers took place between September 1, 2023 and August 30, 2026 at Housing Finance Bank's Kololo Branch and were intended to conceal and disguise the illicit origin of the funds, which Bagonza allegedly knew or had reason to believe were proceeds of crime.
The allegation is contrary to provisions of the Anti-Money Laundering Act cited by the prosecution. Bagonza was not required to plead to the charges because the offences are capital in nature and are triable by the High Court.
The prosecution told court that investigations into the matter were still ongoing, prompting the magistrate to adjourn the case to October 5, 2026.
Source: Nile Post
