The head of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Export and Industrial Development (PACEID) Secretariat, Matthew Bagonza, has been remanded to Luzira Prison after appearing before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala over allegations of money laundering and abuse of office.
The court appearance attracted public attention after President Yoweri Museveni’s daughter, Bishop Patience Rwabwogo, and her husband Odrek Rwabwogo, who chairs PACEID, attended the proceedings.
Bagonza appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court facing allegations related to his work as head of the PACEID Secretariat, an institution operating under the Office of the President.
The prosecution alleges that Bagonza was involved in the transfer of about Shs171 million from a PACEID-related account to his personal bank account, an allegation that has not yet been proven in court.
During the court session, Bagonza did not take a plea after his lawyers challenged the jurisdiction of the court to handle the charges at that stage.
The court later remanded him to Luzira Prison as investigations into the allegations continue, with the matter scheduled to return for further directions.
According to the prosecution, the alleged financial transactions happened between September 2023 and August 2026, involving funds from an account linked to PACEID at Housing Finance Bank.
The State claims that the transfers were intended to conceal or disguise the alleged illegal origin of the funds, although Bagonza remains presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court.
Bagonza is also accused of abuse of office, with prosecutors alleging that he was involved in the creation of a private entity whose objectives were similar to those of PACEID.
The case has drawn attention because of Bagonza’s position within PACEID and his connection to the leadership of the committee.
Odrek Rwabwogo, who chairs PACEID, was present in court alongside his wife Bishop Patience Rwabwogo as proceedings took place.
The appearance of the couple generated public interest because of their close association with PACEID and the accused official.
Before the court appearance, the matter had already attracted attention following reports surrounding Bagonza’s arrest and detention as investigations into the allegations progressed.
PACEID leadership had previously stated that any concerns involving the organisation should be handled through proper legal and institutional channels.
The case now moves into a legal process where prosecutors will be required to present evidence supporting their allegations, while Bagonza and his lawyers will have an opportunity to respond through court procedures.
The remand decision does not determine guilt or innocence, but allows investigations and court processes to continue.
The allegations have placed renewed focus on accountability issues involving public institutions and officials working within government-related programmes.
PACEID was established to support Uganda’s export and industrial development agenda, with its leadership focusing on promoting trade, investment and market access for Ugandan products.
As the court proceedings continue, attention remains on the evidence that will be presented and the responses from the defence team.
For now, Matthew Bagonza remains in custody as he awaits the next court appearance, while the allegations against him continue to be examined through the judicial process.
The case has become one of the closely watched corruption-related matters involving officials connected to a government advisory body, with further developments expected as hearings continue.
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