Fr Sekabira charged with money laundering, remanded

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Former Masaka Diocesan Youth Chaplain Rev. Fr. Dr Deusdedit Ssekabira, who was arrested by security on December 3, 2025, was on Tuesday charged with money laundering before the Masaka Chief Magistrate Court and remanded.

The presiding Magistrate Abdallah Kayiza remanded him until January 21, 2026.

A charge sheet seen by the New Vision indicates that Fr. Ssekabira was charged with one count of money laundering contrary to section 3(b) 119 (1) (a) of the Money Laundering Act, Cap 118.

The State alleged that, “Fr. Ssekabira and others still at large between 2023 and 2025 at Centenary Bank, Masaka branch in Masaka district, intentionally concealed or disguised the true ownership of sh500m knowing or suspecting such property to be proceeds of crime.”

On Sunday, December 14, 2025, the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) confirmed they were holding Fr. Ssekabira.

Acting Director, Defence Public Information Col. Chris Magezi, in a statement released on Sunday evening, said Dr Ssekabira was in "lawful custody" on allegations of being involved in violent subversive activities against the state.

“This is to confirm that Rev. Fr. Ssekabira of Masaka Diocese was recently arrested by the security forces for involvement in violent subversive activities against the state. Rev. Ssekabira is currently in lawful custody to assist with further investigations into the matter. He will be produced in courts of law and charged accordingly,” Col. Magezi stated.

Col. Magezi did not explain the nature of the offences the priest was facing.

Father Ssekabira, the former Masaka Diocesan Youth Chaplain and currently an assistant priest at Bumangi Parish in Kalangala District, reportedly disappeared after he was allegedly abducted by security operatives under unclear circumstances.

On Saturday, December 13, the Bishop of Masaka Diocese, Serverus Jjumba, issued a statement detailing out how the priest was taken away from his office by men dressed in army uniform and travelling in a vehicle commonly referred to as a drone.

“Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Ssekabira, a priest of Masaka Diocese, a Curate at Bumangi Parish, was kidnapped by men in Uganda Army uniform, with a drone, on Wednesday, 3rd December 2025 at 1:00 pm, at Katwe in Masaka City, at his office as Director of Uplift Primary School,” Bishop Jjumba said.

The Bishop said that despite sustained efforts to trace the whereabouts of the priest, he remains missing.

“All efforts to locate him have so far been fruitless. It is a grievous wound inflicted on Masaka Diocese, the entire Catholic Church, and Fr. Ssekabira’s family,” he noted.

Bishop Jjumba revealed that the Diocese, working together with legal teams, is continuing to pursue all available avenues to secure the safe return of the abducted priest.

“Masaka Diocese, together with our lawyers, are still doing whatever is in our means to get our priest back unharmed,” he said.

The Bishop called on the clergy and the faithful to intensify prayers. He disclosed that he had directed all priests in the diocese to observe a Rosary Triduum.

“On Monday, 8th December 2025, I asked all the priests of Masaka Diocese to do a Rosary Triduum, praying the Sorrowful Mysteries for our brother priest, the Church, and our country, Uganda,” Bishop Jjumba said.

He extended the call to all Catholics and people of goodwill across the diocese.

“I am calling upon all Christ’s faithful of Masaka Diocese, in your homes, parishes and communities, to do a Rosary Triduum, with Sorrowful Mysteries, praying that God’s power may reign,” he added.

The Bishop made the appeal from Our Lady of Sorrows, Kitovu Cathedral, a site that holds deep historical significance for the diocese.

“I am doing this communication in Our Lady of Sorrows, Kitovu Cathedral, where on 12th July 1976, Msgr. Clement Mukasa was kidnapped, and he has never been seen again,” Bishop Jjumba stated.

 He entrusted the situation to divine intercession.

However, shortly before the church issued a statement, a family member claimed the priest had been arrested following a wrangle between him and a relative over management of a school.

Details in the Thursday New Vision.