WAKISO, Uganda — Fifty-four days after security agencies launched a high-profile money laundering investigation involving former Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, security and financial crime experts have raised concerns that procedural missteps could undermine the case and expose the government to costly legal challenges.
The experts argue that investigators departed from internationally recognised practices for handling money laundering cases by seizing assets before obtaining court-issued restraint orders and before securing a judicial determination linking the property to alleged proceeds of crime.
They warn that if courts find that due process was not followed, the state could face compensation claims for unlawful deprivation of property rights, regardless of the eventual outcome of the criminal case.
Investigation targets assets linked to former Speaker
The investigation began on May 16, 2026, when detectives from the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), forensic specialists and Defence Intelligence operatives launched coordinated searches at properties associated with Among in Nakasero, Ntinda, Kigo and Bukedea.
Authorities subsequently seized several vehicles linked to the former Speaker, including a Rolls-Royce, as part of the ongoing inquiry into allegations of money laundering and illicit enrichment.
The probe emerged amid broader investigations into the management of public funds and follows increased scrutiny of parliamentary expenditure.
While authorities have not publicly disclosed all details of the evidence gathered, investigators have indicated that the inquiry is intended to establish whether assets connected to the former Speaker were acquired using proceeds of crime.
Among has not been convicted of any offence and remains entitled to the constitutional presumption of innocence.
Experts question sequence of investigation
A retired senior CID detective with extensive experience in economic crime investigations told Vivid Voice News that the process appears to have deviated from standard money laundering investigative procedures.
Speaking anonymously, he argued that money laundering cases are typically built around an underlying criminal offence, often referred to as a predicate offence, such as fraud, corruption, theft or embezzlement.
According to him, investigators should first establish the origin of the suspected proceeds, trace the assets acquired using those proceeds and obtain court orders preventing their transfer or disposal before moving toward confiscation.
“The proper procedure is asset tracing, followed by obtaining restraint orders, prosecution and then asset recovery after conviction,” he said.
He contended that asset seizures conducted before a court determines their criminal origin could become vulnerable to legal challenge.
“You cannot confiscate property before proving in court that it constitutes proceeds of crime. If the process is not followed correctly, affected individuals may have grounds to seek compensation for violation of their rights,” he added.
Concerns over handling of seized property
The retired investigator also questioned the decision to store seized high-value vehicles at the Uganda Police Forensic Services facility in Naguru.
He argued that specialised assets should be managed by institutions with the technical capacity to preserve, assess and maintain them pending the conclusion of court proceedings.
According to him, forensic officers are trained to analyse evidence and documentation rather than determine the valuation or preservation requirements of luxury vehicles.
The concern reflects a broader debate about asset management in financial crime investigations, particularly in cases involving properties whose ownership remains subject to judicial determination.
Political sensitivities
Private investigator and financial crime specialist Fred Egesa also criticised the handling of the case, arguing that investigators may have moved too quickly against a politically prominent figure before fully establishing the underlying chain of responsibility.
He said successful financial crime investigations often begin by examining those directly responsible for managing public funds before moving up the chain to identify alleged beneficiaries.
“When politics intersects with criminal investigations, investigators must be especially careful to ensure the process is beyond reproach,” Egesa said.
According to him, public confidence in such cases depends not only on evidence but also on the perception that investigations are conducted fairly and independently.
Wider parliamentary investigation
The concerns come against the backdrop of a broader anti-corruption investigation involving several parliamentary officials.
Last week, seven officials attached to Parliament were charged before the Anti-Corruption Court with offences including corruption, embezzlement, money laundering and causing financial loss to government in connection with allegations involving approximately Shs37 billion in public funds.
Also Read: Prosecution file against Anita Among completed, sources say
Those charged include senior parliamentary administrators and officers responsible for various operational functions.
The prosecutions have intensified public attention on the management of public resources and the accountability of senior government officials.
Case remains active
Despite criticism from some security experts, investigators maintain that inquiries are ongoing and that evidence is still being reviewed.
Legal experts note that questions about procedure, asset seizures and admissibility of evidence will ultimately be determined by the courts if charges are formally brought.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Criminal Investigations Directorate have not publicly responded to the specific procedural concerns raised by the experts.
For now, the investigation remains active, with authorities continuing to examine financial records, asset ownership structures and transactions connected to the case.
Whether the concerns raised by investigators and legal specialists will affect the prosecution’s prospects is likely to become clearer if and when the matter proceeds to court.
