PACEID secretariat head Matthew Bagonza has been remanded to Luzira Prison over allegations of abuse of office and money laundering.
Bagonza, 39, appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala on Thursday, September 17, where the charges were read to him.
He did not enter a plea.
Principal Grade One Magistrate Christopher Opit told Bagonza that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case.
“You have no right to plead to the charges since the matter is not under my jurisdiction,” the magistrate said.
Prosecution, led by Senior State Attorney Viola Tunsigwire from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and assisted by State Attorney Teopista Nam, told court that investigations were still ongoing.
The magistrate consequently ordered that Bagonza be remanded to Luzira Prison until October 5, 2026, when he will return to court for mention of the case.
He was represented by defence lawyers Daniel Wagwe and James Muhwezi.
Bagonza is the head of the secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Export and Industrial Development (PACEID). He is also a shareholder and director of Presidential Initiative on Export and Industrial Development, a private company.
The abuse of office charge
Prosecution alleges that in January 2024, while working as PACEID secretariat head under the Office of the President, Bagonza abused his authority by irregularly registering and incorporating the private company.
The state alleges that the company had objectives similar to those of his employer and that its registration was prejudicial to the interests of the Government of Uganda.
Shs171.7 million transfer
Bagonza is also accused of transferring Shs171.7 million from an account held in the names of “Office of the President-Presidential on Export and Industrial Development” to his personal account at Housing Finance Bank’s Kololo branch.
According to prosecution, the alleged transactions took place between September 1, 2023, and August 30, 2026, involving Bagonza and others who have not been charged.
The state alleges that the money was transferred to conceal and disguise its illicit origin, with Bagonza allegedly knowing or having reason to believe that the funds were proceeds of crime.
The case attracted attention after First Daughter Bishop Patience Rwabwogo and her husband, Odrek Rwabwogo, appeared in court.
Odrek Rwabwogo is the chairperson of PACEID. The couple remained in court throughout the proceedings.
Bagonza is presumed innocent unless the charges against him are proved in court.
