Masaka Grade I Magistrate Abdullah Kyazze has remanded Catholic priest Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Ssekabira to Masaka Main Prison until January 22, 2026, following his first court appearance after more than three weeks in military detention.
Fr. Ssekabira, 46, curate at Bumangi Parish in Kalangala District and head of charitable programs for vulnerable children, appeared before the Masaka Magistrate’s Court on charges of money laundering involving approximately UGX 500 million.
The charge sheet alleges that between 2023 and 2025, Fr. Ssekabira and accomplices, still at large, concealed the true ownership of funds suspected to be proceeds of crime, transacted through the Centenary Bank Masaka branch.
Due to the high monetary value involved, Magistrate Kyazze ruled that his court lacked jurisdiction over the matter and could not hear a bail application. He remanded the priest to prison pending the next mention.
In an emotional statement to the court, Fr. Ssekabira described his ordeal, recounting how he was arrested by armed men and held incommunicado in a dark room.
He explained that food was passed to him through a small opening at the bottom of the door and pleaded for bail to seek urgent medical attention following prolonged isolation.
“We are going through a difficult time… the confinement has affected my health and wellbeing,” Fr. Ssekabira said. Magistrate Kyazze expressed sympathy but reiterated that the matter falls outside his jurisdiction, advising the defense to pursue relief in a higher court.
Andrew Lule, Masaka Diocesan lawyer representing Fr. Ssekabira, told journalists that they plan to urgently apply for a production warrant from the High Court to file a formal bail application ahead of the scheduled January 21 hearing, noting that money laundering is a bailable offense.
“We are going to petition the High Court so he can access bail while the case is prepared. We also have a court order directing the prison service to provide him with medical attention,” Lule said.
Family members and clergy present outside the court expressed relief at seeing the priest, while vowing to continue advocating for his release.
Andrew Matovu Kabulasoke, speaking on behalf of the family, described the court appearance as reassuring and called for presidential review of the matter.
“We are relieved to see him. To our knowledge, he is innocent, and we appeal to the president to review the situation,”
Kabulasoke said. Fr. Ssekabira was abducted on December 3, 2025, by armed men in Uganda People’s Defence Forces uniforms who arrived in an unmarked vehicle commonly referred to as a “drone.”
Witnesses said no arrest warrant was presented and authorities initially failed to disclose his whereabouts.
For nearly two weeks, the Masaka Diocese, led by Bishop Serverus Jjumba, described the incident as a kidnapping and an enforced disappearance. The diocese organized prayers and filed a habeas corpus application in the Masaka High Court to compel authorities to produce the priest.
On December 14, the UPDF admitted holding Fr. Ssekabira, accusing him of involvement in violent subversive activities against the state. Acting Director of Defence Public Information Col. Chris Magezi stated that the priest was in lawful custody to aid investigations and would be produced in court and charged.
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