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Bagonza remanded over money laundering charges
“You have no right to plead to the charges since the matter is not under my jurisdiction,” the magistrate said.
Bagonza remanded over money laundering charges
By: Michael Odeng, Journalist @New Vision
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Matthew Bagonza, the head of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Export and Industrial Development (PACEID) secretariat, has been remanded to Luzira Prison over alleged money laundering and abuse of office.
The Anti-Corruption Court Principal Magistrate Grade One Christopher Opit on Thursday, September 17, read out the charges to Bagonza but did not allow him to take a plea because the presiding court lacks jurisdiction to handle the matter.
“You have no right to plead to the charges since the matter is not under my jurisdiction,” the magistrate said.
Bagonza, 39, is also a shareholder and director of Presidential Initiative on Export and Industrial Development.
The prosecution led by Senior State Attorney Viola Tunsigwire from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, informed the court that investigations into the matter are still ongoing. She was assisted by State Attorney Teopista Nam.
Bagonza, 39, is also a shareholder and director of Presidential Initiative on Export and Industrial Development.
The prosecution led by Senior State Attorney Viola Tunsigwire from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, informed the court that investigations into the matter are still ongoing. She was assisted by State Attorney Teopista Nam.
This prompted the judge to remand Bagonza to Luzira Prison until October 5, 2026, when he will return to the court for mention of his case. Bagonza was represented by defence lawyers Daniel Wagwe and James Muhwezi.
Prosecution alleges that Bagonza, in January 2024, while employed as the PACEID head under the Office of the President, in abuse of the authority of his office, did an arbitrary act by irregularly registering and incorporating Presidential Initiative on export and industrial development, a private limited company with similar objectives to those of his employer, which act was prejudicial to the interest of his employer, the Government of Uganda.
Prosecution also alleges that Bagonza of Mpala in Wakiso district and others still at large between September 1, 2023 and August 30, 2026, at Housing Finance Bank, Kololo Branch, intentionally transferred sh171.7m from account number 1100273525 which he opened in the names of “Office of the President-Presidential on Export and Industrial Development, to his personal account No. 1100278763 at Housing Finance Bank, Kololo Branch.
According to prosecution, Bagonza initiated the transactions for the purpose of concealing and disguising the illicit origin of the said property while knowing or having reason to believe that the said funds were proceeds of crime.
Prosecution alleges that Bagonza, in January 2024, while employed as the PACEID head under the Office of the President, in abuse of the authority of his office, did an arbitrary act by irregularly registering and incorporating Presidential Initiative on export and industrial development, a private limited company with similar objectives to those of his employer, which act was prejudicial to the interest of his employer, the Government of Uganda.
Prosecution also alleges that Bagonza of Mpala in Wakiso district and others still at large between September 1, 2023 and August 30, 2026, at Housing Finance Bank, Kololo Branch, intentionally transferred sh171.7m from account number 1100273525 which he opened in the names of “Office of the President-Presidential on Export and Industrial Development, to his personal account No. 1100278763 at Housing Finance Bank, Kololo Branch.
According to prosecution, Bagonza initiated the transactions for the purpose of concealing and disguising the illicit origin of the said property while knowing or having reason to believe that the said funds were proceeds of crime.