The High Court in Masaka has released Catholic priest Rev. Fr. Deus Ssekabira on bail in a case in which he is accused of money laundering involving Shs 500 million. 

Ssekabira was granted bail on Tuesday after Masaka High Court Judge Justice Victoria Nakintu ruled that he had presented substantial sureties, satisfying the legal requirements for his temporary release.

During the hearing, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) opposed the bail application, arguing that the High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter at this stage. State Prosecutor Brian Kalinaki submitted that Ssekabira had not been properly committed to the High Court by a lower court. “Bail is applied for in a court that has jurisdiction to hear the matter. The correct court should have been the Chief Magistrate’s Court. This court only acquires jurisdiction after committal for trial,” Kalinaki told court. However, the defence team, led by Sam Ssekyewa, objected to the prosecution’s argument, maintaining that the offence of money laundering is only triable by the High Court, making the bail application properly placed. 

Justice Nakintu agreed with the defence submissions and proceeded to grant bail. The court ordered Fr. Ssekabira to pay a cash bail of Shs 15 million, deposit his passport with court, and comply with other bail conditions.

Ssekabira was arrested several months ago during the 2026 general election campaigns. While he is formally charged with money laundering, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni previously stated that the priest’s arrest was linked to his alleged political activities with the National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine.

Last month, the same court had denied Ssekabira bail after ruling that he had failed to present substantial sureties.

Following Tuesday’s ruling, jubilation erupted outside the court premises, with supporters singing songs of praise and thanking God for what they described as the priest’s liberation.

Investigations into the case are ongoing.

By ChimpReports