Wakiso businesswoman charged over sh240m laundering denied bail

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A self-employed woman accused of laundering sh240 million in a transaction involving land in Kirinda zone, Makindye-Ssabagabo, has been denied bail.

Sauya Kasisa Mutesi, 28, of Bugu Zone, Busaabala, Makindye-Ssabagabo in Wakiso district, is charged with one count of money laundering contrary to Sections 3(c) and 13 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

Prosecutors allege that Mutesi was involved in laundering sh240 million arising from a transaction concerning a piece of land said to be property of Buganda Kingdom.

Under Sections 3 and 13 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, a person convicted of money laundering is liable to a maximum sentence of 15 years' imprisonment, a fine not exceeding sh2 billion, or both.

The Anti-Corruption Court in Nakasero, presided over by Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga, on June 6, 2026, declined to grant bail to Mutesi after finding that one of the sureties presented had failed to demonstrate the financial capacity required to meet any financial obligations that may arise should the accused abscond from trial.

According to the Anti-Corruption Court Case Management Rules, Section 7 requires the court to satisfy itself that a proposed surety has the ability to influence and compel the accused to attend trial, as well as the financial capacity to meet the obligations arising from the bond terms should the need arise.

Justice Kajuga advised the accused to secure another suitable surety and present it before the court if she wishes to have her bail application reconsidered.

Mutesi had told court that she has substantial sureties willing to stand for her and pledged not to abscond if granted bail. She further assured the court that she would abide by all bail conditions and attend trial whenever required.

However, the prosecution, led by Senior State Attorney Gertrude Nyipir from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), opposed the bail application, arguing that the sureties presented were not sufficiently substantial to satisfy the proposed bail terms. The prosecution, therefore, urged the court not to release her on bail.

Charges

Nyipir alleges that in April 2026, at Kirinda zone in Makindye-Ssabagabo, Wakiso district, Mutesi assisted her brother-in-law, Noah Tenywa, alias Victor, to benefit from the proceeds of crime.

 According to the prosecution, Mutesi facilitated the transaction by allowing herself to be indicated as the purchaser on a kibanja sale agreement, despite allegedly knowing that the money used to acquire the land constituted proceeds of crime.