Catherine Kusasira in trouble as Museveni orders arrest of Shs4bn fraud suspects

Presidential advisor on Kampala affairs Catherine Kusasira could land in trouble after President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni ordered security agencies and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU) to arrest suspects involved in a Shs4bn scam.

Kusasira, motor-mouthed city pastor Franklin Mondo Mugisha, Pastor Siraje Ssemanda of Revival Ministries Church-Bombo, face charges of defrauding pastors of Shs4bn.

DETAILS OF FRAUD CASE

Prosecution alleges that in February 2018, while at various Pentecostal Churches and schools in Tororo District, Ssemanda obtained Shs82m from Geoffrey Owor.

It is also alleged that, between May and November 2018, while in Bombo, Ssemanda obtained millions of money from several school directors and church followers with promises of bursaries of children.

Scores of pastors, 400 private school owners and thousands of parents of vulnerable children accuse Kusasira, Mondo Mugisha and Ssemanda of collecting at least Shs4bn from them.

The trio is said to have promised to help hundreds in arranging trips abroad, linking them to cash-minting deals under the Operation Wealth Creation.

Kusasira, Ssemanda and Mondo Mugisha had also promised to arrange a meeting of the pastors, school owners and children with President Yoweri Museveni.

The defrauded pastors under their association Hands Across the World had rushed to SH-ACU head Lt Col Edith Nakalema, asking her to intervene.

Nakalema intervened and caused the arrest of Ssemanda as well as the interrogation of Kusasira and Mondo Mugisha.

On November 17, Pastor Mondo Mugisha and singer Kusasira appeared before detectives of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU) for questioning.

Ahead of Kusasira’s appearance before SH-ACU detectives for interrogation, she insisted she was innocent and threatened to reveal those behind her woes.

“I am very innocent. They have arrested my friends but I am talking the truth and I know there is some one behind this. Naye temumpona ngenda kwasa ebyama [But I will expose you],” she said.

Ssemanda is currently remanded at Kitalya Prison. On November 16, he appeared before Buganda Road Court where he was charged with 17 counts of obtaining money by false pretence.

MUSEVENI MEETS VICTIMS OF FRAUD

On November 20, President Museveni met some of the victims and whistle blowers in the fraud case.

After the meeting that happened at Morulinga State Lodge in Karamoja, Museveni issued orders to Nakalema and police.

“I condemn this act and therefore DIRECT that whoever was involved in this scam be arrested henceforth,” Museveni said.