Masaka High Court has granted bail to Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Ssekabira, a Catholic priest whose arrest and detention sparked national debate and deep concern within the Church and wider public. The ruling brought relief to his supporters after more than two months of uncertainty and emotional court appearances.
Justice Victoria Nakintu Katamba ordered that Fr. Ssekabira be released on a cash bail of Shs15 million. The court also required non-cash sureties of Shs50 million and directed the priest to surrender his passport. These conditions allowed his temporary freedom as the case against him continues in court.
Fr. Ssekabira, a curate at Bumangi Parish in Masaka Diocese, had been on remand since December 2025. Earlier attempts by his lawyers to secure bail were unsuccessful, prolonging his stay in custody and raising questions about fairness and due process.
The priest was arrested on December 3, 2025, under circumstances that immediately caused alarm. Armed personnel believed to be from the military reportedly picked him up, and for nearly two weeks his whereabouts were unknown. This silence worried Church leaders, human rights activists, and members of the public.
Later, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces admitted they were holding him and accused him of involvement in what they called violent subversive activities. However, formal charges only came weeks later, shifting the case into the civilian justice system.
On December 23, prosecutors charged Fr. Ssekabira with money laundering. They alleged that between 2023 and 2025 he handled about Shs500 million through Centenary Bank in Masaka, money said to be criminal proceeds disguised as normal transactions. The priest has strongly denied all the allegations.
The case drew even more attention on January 28 when the High Court denied him bail. During that hearing, Fr. Ssekabira was visibly emotional and broke down in court, a moment that moved many observers and renewed calls for his release.
Public controversy intensified after President Yoweri Museveni stated that he personally ordered the priest’s arrest. The President claimed that Fr. Ssekabira had links to opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, and the National Unity Platform party.
The President further revealed that he had rejected requests from Masaka Bishop Serverus Jjumba and other religious leaders to have the priest freed. He insisted that Fr. Ssekabira must first confess, remarks that drew sharp criticism from legal experts and opposition figures.
Critics argue that such statements suggest political interference in a criminal case that should be handled independently by the courts. They fear the charges may be used to silence voices seen as critical of the government, especially as Uganda approaches the 2026 general elections.
Catholic lawyers and theologians have also condemned the use of military detention against a civilian priest. They warn that this practice undermines the Constitution and weakens trust in civilian law enforcement and judicial institutions.
Fr. Ssekabira’s lead defence lawyer, Sam Ssekyewa, welcomed the bail ruling. He said the court had recognized that his client met all the requirements for bail and reminded the public that bail is a constitutional right, not a favour.
The defence team maintains that the priest is innocent and will continue to fight the charges through legal means. They say the trial will be a key test of fairness, independence, and respect for the rule of law.
While the bail decision has brought temporary relief to Fr. Ssekabira’s family and supporters, many questions remain unanswered. Ugandans continue to debate the role of the military in civilian matters and the level of freedom religious leaders have to speak on social issues.
As the case proceeds, it will remain under close public watch. For now, the priest’s release on bail stands as both a moment of hope and a reminder of the pressure facing Uganda’s justice system in politically sensitive times.
