BoU, AG ordered to file defence over Ssemwanga cash

Jun 05, 2017

The new petition filed today wants the actual amount of money in the grave to be established before it is put back in circulation

The High Court in Kampala has given the Attorney General (AG) and Bank of Uganda only 15 days to file a written defence explaining why they never restrained the ‘Rich Gang' from burying the late Ivan Ssemwanga with money.

Robert Ssenfuka who petitioned court to have Ssemwanga's body exhumed argues that the action which he contends is unlawful, was done in the presence of the Uganda Police Force. ​

Ssemwanga died last month in South Africa, where he had been based as a businessman for several years.

Ssenfuka wants the actual amount of money in the grave to be established before it is put back in circulation.

He contends that throwing of Uganda's legal tender into a grave is a waste of tax payers' money since the said money is printed using resources collected from citizens.  

Through his lawyers of Wameli & Company Advocates, Ssenfuka says he has filed this case in public interest since the actions of burying money in a grave has a negative impact on all persons using it for trade.

He therefore seeks a declaration that court should order Police to pay punitive damages for neglecting duty and an order permanently restraining any person from destroying the legal tender.

Similarly, Human Rights Defenders Association Uganda last week sought the opinion of the Attorney General on the legality of burying fallen Ssemwanga with cash.

Last Tuesday, during his burial in Kayunga, members of the so-called Rich Gang, which the 39-year-old led, ostentatiously threw various denominations of cash into his tiled grave before his casket was lowered in.

The move drew a lot of reaction from the public, with some critical of the act while others in support of it, considering that Ssemwanga led a flamboyant life.

He was the ex-husband of South Africa-based Ugandan socialite Zari Hassan, who is now Tanzanian musician Diamond Platnumz's lover.

Ssemwanga's grave is being guarded by Police, a move his family says is intended to safeguard from people who intend to vandalise it and make off with the money.

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