Uganda: Ambassador Kiguli Remanded For Corruption Over MAAIF Financial Loss

• Uganda's Consul General in Mombasa, Ambassador Herbert Kiguli, has been remanded to Luzira Prison on charges of causing sh494 million financial loss and abuse of office.
• The allegations stem from five requisitions totaling sh614 million he allegedly signed in November 2020 while serving at MAAIF, purportedly for Bukalasa Agricultural College.
• The Inspectorate of Government claims these funds were unbudgeted, lacked a valid Memorandum of Understanding, and were for activities hampered by COVID-19 restrictions.
• Kiguli's case is linked to a broader investigation into MAAIF's sh10.2 billion disbursement during the pandemic, where sh8.7 billion was allegedly misappropriated for various purposes, including private land purchases.
• The Anti-Corruption Court has scheduled his bail application hearing for October 7, 2026, as the Inspectorate of Government continues its aggressive pursuit of public officials for financial mismanagement.

The remand of Ambassador Herbert Kiguli by the Anti-Corruption Court signals the Uganda Inspectorate of Government's unwavering commitment to combating corruption and ensuring accountability among public officials.

Uganda's Consul General in Mombasa, Kenya, Ambassador Herbert Kiguli, has been remanded to Luzira Prison following his appearance before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala. The 59-year-old diplomat faces charges of causing a financial loss of sh494 million to the government and abuse of office. Principal Magistrate Christopher Opit presided over the proceedings where the allegations were formally presented to Kiguli, who subsequently entered a plea of not guilty.

The court has scheduled Ambassador Kiguli's bail application hearing for October 7, 2026, at midday, ordering his continued detention until that date. His arrest was carried out by the Inspectorate of Government (IG), signaling a continued aggressive stance against public sector corruption. The case highlights the ongoing efforts by Ugandan authorities to hold high-ranking officials accountable for alleged misuse of public resources.

The charges against Ambassador Kiguli stem from actions purportedly taken on November 9 and 10, 2020. At that time, he was serving as the Commissioner for Human Resource Management at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) in Entebbe. This period coincides with the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when significant public funds were disbursed under emergency conditions.

Prosecutors allege that during his tenure at MAAIF, Herbert Kiguli initiated and endorsed five requisitions, totaling sh614 million, purportedly on behalf of Bukalasa Agricultural College. These transactions are central to the accusation that he caused a financial loss of sh494 million to the government. The Inspectorate of Government contends that the funds in question were neither budgeted for by Bukalasa Agricultural College nor anticipated by the institution.

Furthermore, the IG asserts that there was no valid Memorandum of Understanding in place at the time to govern the financial relationship between MAAIF and Bukalasa Agricultural College. The money was reportedly earmarked for various MAAIF activities that ultimately could not proceed due to the restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. This lack of proper budgetary allocation and formal agreement forms a critical part of the MAAIF financial loss charges.

Representing the Inspectorate of Government in court were Principal Inspectorate Officer William Moses Ntumwa, alongside Inspectorate Officers Milly Namuwanga and Jennifer Katusime. The IG issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding public resources and urging all public officers to adhere strictly to financial regulations in the execution of their duties, underscoring the gravity of the abuse of office Uganda is actively combatting.

Ambassador Kiguli's case is reportedly connected to a broader investigation into the alleged misuse of funds disbursed by MAAIF to several institutions during the COVID-19 lockdown. Reports from 2020 indicated that MAAIF had released approximately UGX 10.2 billion in installments to Bukalasa Agricultural College and the Fisheries Training Institute in Entebbe for activities that were ultimately stalled by the lockdown measures. The Inspectorate of Government subsequently identified that an estimated sh8.7 billion of these funds had been misappropriated.

Investigators raised concerns over the intended use of these substantial funds. Purposes included industrial training, procurement of stationery and instructional materials, and renovation of livestock farms. Alarmingly, payments were also recorded for students' feeding bills, despite students being at home during the lockdown period. This pattern of alleged Uganda public funds misappropriation points to systemic issues within the management of public resources during the pandemic.

Further allegations suggest that some officials withdrew portions of these funds and diverted them for personal gain, including the purchase of private land in prime locations. The IG previously disclosed that certain officials from MAAIF and Bukalasa Agricultural College admitted wrongdoing and agreed to refund the misappropriated funds, with the Inspectorate actively pursuing recovery measures. This context underscores the significance of the Bukalasa Agricultural College fraud allegations.

The remand of Ambassador Herbert Kiguli by the Anti-Corruption Court signals the Uganda Inspectorate of Government's unwavering commitment to combating corruption and ensuring accountability among public officials. This high-profile case, involving a serving diplomat, sends a clear message regarding the intensified scrutiny of public funds, particularly those disbursed during the unprecedented circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. The IG's proactive role in pursuing such cases reinforces its mandate to protect national resources from embezzlement and mismanagement.

This development underscores the critical importance for all public officers to maintain robust compliance with established financial regulations and ethical standards. The Inspectorate's public statements consistently emphasize the need for transparency and adherence to due process in all financial dealings involving public money. The ongoing investigations and prosecutions serve as a stark reminder of the potential legal ramifications for those found to be involved in financial irregularities or abuse of office Uganda.

The aggressive pursuit of cases like that of Ambassador Kiguli demonstrates that no public official, regardless of their position, is beyond the reach of anti-corruption efforts. This sustained pressure from the Inspectorate of Government aims to foster a culture of integrity and responsible stewardship of public resources across all government ministries and agencies, particularly in light of the significant sums involved in the Bukalasa Agricultural College fraud.

This case signals the Inspectorate of Government's continued aggressive pursuit of public officials for financial mismanagement and abuse of office, particularly concerning funds disbursed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawyers advising public sector entities or officials in Uganda should ensure robust compliance with financial regulations and be prepared for increased scrutiny and potential prosecution related to past or present public resource management.

Source: Original reporting via Independent (Kampala)