MASAKA. Fr Deusdedit Ssekabira, who has been missing for 21 days following his kidnapped by government soldiers at his office in Masaka City, has finally appeared before the Masaka magistrates court.
According to the charge sheet seen by this publication ,the man of God aged 47 is charged with money laundering contrary to section 3 (b) 119 and 139 and 139 (1) (a) of the Anti –Money Laundering Act, Cap 118. Court records show that Fr Ssekabira and others still at large between 2023 and 2025 at Centenary Bank-Masaka Branch in Masaka District ,internationally concealed or disguised the true ownership of Shs500million ( Five hundred million shillings only ) knowing or suspecting such property to be the proceeds of crime.
However, the presiding magistrate, Abdallah Kayiza, remanded him until January 21, 2026, stating that his court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case. This means Fr Ssekabira will spend Christmas in the coolers unless his lawyers secure bail tomorrow ,Wednesday before courts close for the festive season .
On December 3 Fr Ssekabira ,a curate at Bumangi in Kalangala ,Masaka Diocese was abducted and 10 days later ,the Uganda Army acting spokesperson Chris Magezi, admitted holding him on charges of “violent subversive activities”. Surprisingly, the charges mentioned in the Army statement don’t appear on the charge sheet.