Mathew Bagonza, the head of the secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID), has been charged with abuse of office and money laundering and remanded to prison pending further proceedings.
Bagonza appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala on Thursday, September 17, 2026, where the prosecution read two charges against him. The case was heard by Principal Grade One Magistrate Christopher Opit.
Abuse of office charge
According to the prosecution, Bagonza committed abuse of office in January 2024 while serving as head of the PACEID secretariat under the Office of the President.
Prosecutors allege that he irregularly registered and incorporated the Presidential Initiative on Export and Industrial Development as a private limited company, despite the company having objectives similar to those of his employer.
The prosecution argues that the alleged action was prejudicial to the interests of his employer and the Government of Uganda.
The charge is brought under Section 10(1) of Uganda’s Anti-Corruption Act, according to the prosecution.
Shs171.7 million transfer alleged
The second charge concerns alleged money laundering involving Shs171,725,634.
Prosecution alleges that between September 1, 2023 and August 30, 2026, Bagonza transferred the money from an account opened in the name of the Presidential Initiative on Export and Industrial Development at Housing Finance Bank’s Kololo Branch to a personal account held in his name at the same bank.
The prosecution alleges that the transactions were intended to conceal or disguise the illicit origin of the funds, which Bagonza allegedly knew or had reason to believe were proceeds of crime.
Bagonza was not required to enter a plea because the offences are triable by the High Court, according to the court report.
The prosecution told court that investigations are still ongoing. Magistrate Opit consequently adjourned the matter to October 5, 2026, while Bagonza was remanded to prison.
Case puts PACEID under renewed scrutiny
The prosecution comes amid heightened public attention around PACEID and its operations.
PACEID was commissioned by President Yoweri Museveni on March 16, 2022, with a mandate focused on strengthening Uganda’s export performance and industrial development. Government information describes the committee as bringing together government institutions, private-sector players, exporters, producers and other stakeholders to address barriers to trade and promote export growth.
The committee has been chaired by presidential adviser Odrek Rwabwogo, while Bagonza has served as head of its secretariat.
In August 2026, PACEID said it remained operational and rejected claims circulating publicly about its legal status, saying it was commissioned by the President and domiciled under the Office of the President.
The latest criminal case therefore places questions about the management and financial administration of the export-focused presidential initiative before the courts.
Arrest preceded court appearance
Bagonza’s court appearance follows his reported arrest from his home in Entebbe several weeks ago.
His detention attracted public attention after Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba confirmed his arrest in August. Rwabwogo subsequently defended Bagonza and said allegations against him should be handled through the courts.
Bagonza’s appearance on Thursday now moves the matter from the controversy surrounding his detention into formal judicial proceedings.
The allegations remain unproven, and Bagonza is presumed innocent unless and until a court determines otherwise.
Why the case matters
The case is significant beyond the individual charges because it touches on the administration of an institution created to advance Uganda’s export and industrialisation agenda.
PACEID was established to help identify export opportunities, address trade barriers and support the development of Uganda’s productive sectors. Its work has included engagement with exporters and international markets, making questions about the handling of funds and the separation between public responsibilities and private interests particularly relevant to the ongoing proceedings.
The next major development is expected on October 5, 2026, when the case returns to court as investigations continue.Â
