Uganda’s High Court has granted the prosecution’s request to add fresh charges against former Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Minister James Ssali, expanding the case that already includes fraud and abuse of office. The additional counts allege that Ssali, while in office, authorized the award of contracts worth Shs3.8 billion to companies linked to his relatives, bypassing competitive bidding procedures. The court ruled that the new evidence, comprising bank statements and email correspondence, meets the threshold for a prima facie case. Defense counsel argued that the charges are politically motivated, but the judge dismissed the claim, noting the need for a full trial to determine culpability. The case is slated for a hearing in November.
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