PACEID Secretariat Head Mathew Bagonza Charged with Abuse of Office and Money Laundering
KAMPALA, UGANDA — Mathew Bagonza, the head of the secretariat at Uganda’s Presidential Advisory Committee on Export and Industrial Development (PACEID), has been charged with abuse of office and money laundering.
Bagonza faces one count each of abuse of office and money laundering. According to court documents, the charges stem from the alleged transfer of Shs171 million from a PACEID-linked account to his personal account, as well as the irregular registration of a private company in January 2024.
A formal charge sheet from the Kololo Branch states that the funds were allegedly moved “in the names of Bagonza Matthew, for the purpose of concealing and disguising the illicit origin of the said property while knowing or having reason to believe that the said funds were proceeds of crime.” The document bears the signature of the Officer Preferring Charge and the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Lino Anguzu.
During court proceedings at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala, Bagonza did not enter a plea due to jurisdictional issues. He has been remanded to Luzira Prison until October 5.
The case follows his late August detention amid public accusations against PACEID by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba. PACEID Chairman Odrek Rwabwogo and his wife, Bishop Patience Rwabwogo, were present at the Anti-Corruption Court to follow the proceedings, according to NTV Uganda.
Investigations into the matter are ongoing, and other suspects remain at large.
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