Masaka-based Catholic priest Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Ssekabira, who was recently arrested, has been charged and remanded over alleged money laundering involving UGX 500 million.
Fr. Ssekabira, 47, attached to Bumangi Parish in the Sseese Islands, Kalangala District, was charged with money laundering contrary to Sections 3(b), 119 and 139(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act after appearing before court following investigations by police in Masaka.
According to the charge sheet registered at Masaka Central Police Station under CRB 672/2025, investigators allege that between 2023 and 2025, Fr. Ssekabira and others not yet arrested conducted a series of transactions through Centenary Bank, Masaka Branch, aimed at concealing or disguising the true ownership of UGX 500,000,000.
Police say the suspects knew, or had reason to suspect, that the money was proceeds of crime.
Fr. Ssekabira’s arrest, which occurred nearly three weeks ago, sparked national attention and public debate.
He was picked up by uniformed security personnel from his office under circumstances that initially remained unclear.
The incident prompted the Bishop of Masaka Diocese, Rt. Rev. Severus Jjumba, to issue a public statement demanding clarification on the priest’s whereabouts.
Later that evening, the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF), through its spokesperson Col. Chris Magezi, confirmed that Fr. Ssekabira was in military custody.
His arrest drew strong reactions from sections of the public, particularly within the Catholic community and among politicians, many of whom questioned the manner in which he was apprehended.