The Anti-Corruption Court has allowed several top officials involved in the ghost workers’ scandal to go on bail. Among them is Jacqueline Namaganda, Chief Quality Assurance Officer at Makerere University Business School (MUBS), who faces charges alongside the former MUBS principal, Prof. Waswa Balunywa.
Balunywa did not appear in court, sending his lawyers instead. His legal team explained that he is unwell but ready to appear whenever required. “He communicates that he is unwell due to some health conditions. However, he is able and willing to appear at the next convenient date of this honorable court,” his lawyer told the court.
Namaganda was granted bail of Shs 4 million in cash and Shs 50 million non-cash. She and Balunywa are accused of abuse of office and neglect of duty for allegedly hiring unqualified staff, a move that contributed to the ghost workers’ scandal.
In another case linked to the scandal, Eldard Mugume, Human Resource Commissioner for the Uganda Police Force, and his co-accused, Lillian Waidha, were also granted bail of Shs 4 million cash and Shs 50 million non-cash. They are accused of illegally recruiting six individuals into the police between February and March 2013. The recruits include Lizzie Namulinda, Aisha Namukasa, Lilly Birungi, Jasper Ekyoheirwe, Pearl Kainembabazi, and Eva Amumpaire.
Mugume faces six counts of abuse of office under Section 10(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act, Cap 116. All three officials—Mugume, Waidha, and Namaganda—were ordered to deposit their passports as part of the bail conditions to ensure they appear in court.
The case has attracted widespread attention, raising serious questions about corruption, recruitment practices, and accountability in both public institutions and universities across Uganda.
