As Uganda reels from the fallout of the Bank of Uganda cyber heist that saw $16 million (Shs60 billion) vanish in a sophisticated hacking operation, one name continues to raise eyebrows—Godfrey Ssemugooma, the Acting Director of Financial Management Services at the Ministry of Finance.
Despite holding a position directly responsible for the movement and management of funds, Ssemugooma remains untouched by the ongoing police investigation.
Meanwhile, the Accountant General, Lawrence Semakula, and seven other officials have been detained by the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) as part of the probe.
This glaring omission has sparked speculation: Who is protecting Ssemugooma, and why hasn’t he been questioned?
Sources close to the Ministry of Finance suggest that Ssemugooma enjoys powerful backing, either from influential figures within the Ministry or the police itself.
His name has so far remained absent from the list of those under investigation, despite the fact that his office had direct oversight over the hacked funds.
Some insiders claim that the current wave of arrests—including that of the Accountant General, Lawrence Semakula—may actually be a calculated political move designed to clear the path for Ssemugooma to take over as Uganda’s next Accountant General.
If true, this would indicate a high-level power struggle within the Ministry of Finance, with Ssemugooma strategically positioning himself while rivals are taken down.
Ssemugooma is no stranger to controversy. Ministry insiders recall his bitter clashes with the late Keith Muhakanizi, the former Permanent Secretary to the Treasury (PSST).
Their disagreements reportedly became so intense that Ssemugooma was eventually removed from the Ministry of Finance. He only returned after Muhakanizi was pushed out—a move that some see as evidence of the powerful connections he holds.
Muhakanizi was known for his firm stance on financial accountability, and some believe his removal created space for individuals with less scrutiny over public funds to return to key positions.
The fact that the Police has yet to summon Ssemugooma raises serious concerns about selective justice in the investigation.
With the police cracking down on several high-ranking officials, why is the one man who had direct oversight over the hacked money not even a person of interest?
One theory is that certain police officials may be protecting him, ensuring that the investigation does not touch his name. Another possibility is that key figures within the Ministry of Finance itself are shielding him, ensuring that he remains in place while rivals are eliminated.
Either way, the lack of scrutiny on Ssemugooma is fueling growing suspicion among financial and political circles.
With the arrests of the Accountant General and other officials, pressure is mounting for a deeper and more transparent investigation.
