Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Ssekabira, a Catholic priest who had been detained for weeks following his arrest by Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers in Masaka District earlier this month, has appeared before the Masaka Magistrate’s Court for the first time.
However, the presiding magistrate, Abdallah Kayiza, remanded Fr. Ssekabira until January 21, 2026, after ruling that the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the money laundering case.
Fr. Ssekabira is accused of money laundering, with prosecutors alleging that he concealed Shs500 million, which the state claims he knew or suspected to be proceeds of crime. The charge is brought under provisions of the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
Court documents indicate that the alleged offence relates to financial transactions carried out over a period spanning several years, though details of the prosecution’s evidence were not presented during the brief appearance, as the court did not take plea.
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The priest’s court appearance comes after weeks of public uncertainty over his whereabouts. Early this month, reports circulated on social media claiming he had been abducted by armed men believed to be soldiers. The Uganda Police Force later said it was verifying the reports.
Subsequently, the UPDF confirmed that Fr. Ssekabira was in lawful custody, stating that he had been arrested over alleged involvement in what the military described as “violent subversive activities against the state.” The military did not initially disclose that he would face financial crime charges.
Fr. Ssekabira will remain on remand as the state prepares to take the case to a court with competent jurisdiction to hear money laundering offences. There was no immediate comment from his lawyers or from the Catholic Church following the court session.
