Father Deusdedit Ssekabira, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Masaka, is set to appear before the Masaka Chief Magistrates Court over allegations of money laundering involving Sh500 million at Centenary Bank’s Masaka branch, according to a police charge sheet seen by this publication.
The prosecution alleges that between 2023 and 2025, Fr Ssekabira and others ‘intentionally concealed or disguised the true ownership’ of the funds, knowing or suspecting that the money was the proceeds of crime. The charges cite Sections 3 (b), 119, and 139 (1) and (1)(a) of the Act of the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
Fr Ssekabira was abducted on December 3, 2025, by armed men in unmarked vehicles without a warrant or formal explanation. He was subsequently held incommunicado at an ungazetted detention facility.
The army, in a statement, justified his detention because he was allegedly involved in violent subversive activities against the state. ‘Rev Fr Ssekabira is currently in lawful custody to assist with further investigations into the matter. He will be produced in the courts of law and charged accordingly,’ said Co Chris Magezi, Acting Director of Defence Public Information.
The arrest prompted strong reactions from members of parliament and Catholic lawyers, who described the detention as unconstitutional and a violation of fundamental human rights. Many called for his immediate release or for him to be produced before a court without further delay.
Fr Ssekabira’s appearance before the Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court marks the next stage in a high-profile case that has attracted widespread attention, as the legal proceedings unfold.