Stanley Ssengaaga
Juba/Kampala – An international manhunt is underway for a prominent Ugandan engineer based in South Sudan, accused by Ugandan security agencies of orchestrating a sophisticated fundraising network for the main opposition party, the National Unity Platform (NUP).
The individual, named as Stanley Ssengaaga, a highly ranking technocrat working for the ARC African Resources Corporation in Juba, is alleged to have leveraged his influence and connections to solicit significant funds from the Ugandan diaspora in South Sudan and wealthy business owners from the Horn of Africa.
A Network Spanning Borders
According to intelligence reports seen by this publication, the engineer, led fundraising drives primarily in Juba, with additional activities in the northern South Sudanese towns of Aweil and Wau. He is believed to have used luxury hotels in both Juba and Kampala to host events disguised as business meetings.
His alleged strategy involved tapping into a network of successful entrepreneurs from Ethiopia and Eritrea who own a chain of businesses across East Africa, including hotels, real estate ventures, and transportation companies. Ssengaaga is said to have convinced these business figures to contribute to the NUP’s cause.
The funds raised were allegedly smuggled to Uganda via youth couriers, who would then deliver the money directly to a top-tier NUP official (name withheld). All this happening from the year 2022 to 2024.
Fleeing on a Police Bond
Stanley Ssengaaga (in green reflector jacket) with some of his South Sudan friends.
The engineer was reportedly detained by Ugandan authorities but was later released on a police bond, a temporary release agreement requiring him to report back. However, he allegedly violated the terms of his bond by fleeing the country shortly after his release. According to security sources, he is now believed to be in Europe, Germany, the Netherlands or Canada, as he seeks refuge due to concerns for his personal safety.
A Recurring Accusation in a Tense Political Climate
This case is not isolated. The Ugandan government has frequently accused opposition figures of seeking illicit foreign funding, a serious charge under Uganda’s strict public finance management laws.
- In November 2021, prominent NUP legislators including Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya (Kawempe North) and Hon. Allan Ssewanyana (Makindye West) were arrested and charged with, among other things, aiding and abetting the possession of war materials, with the state alleging a grand scheme to destabilize the country with external support. Their lengthy pre-trial detention drew condemnation from human rights groups like Amnesty International.
- In August 2020, just months before the last general election, the government arrested 27 NUP supporters in Luweero, accusing them of receiving military training and funds from foreign backers to cause violence.
Government and NGO Stance
Top government officials have been vocal on the issue. Minister for Information, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, has consistently stated that the government will not tolerate any form of external interference. “We have laws that govern the financing of political activities. Anyone, regardless of their status, who seeks to break these laws by soliciting foreign support to undermine the peace and security of Uganda will face the full force of the law,” he stated in a past interview.
Human rights organizations view these accusations with skepticism. Mr. Nicholas Opiyo, a renowned human rights lawyer and founder of Chapter Four Uganda, has previously argued that the charge of “funding opposition” is often used as a political tool to suppress dissent. “There is a consistent pattern of using serious but unsubstantiated charges to detain opposition figures without trial for extended periods, effectively removing them from the political arena,” Opiyo stated.
Gearing Up for a Succession Battle
Stanley Ssengaaga
This latest incident occurs against a backdrop of intense political maneuvering as Uganda gears up for the 2026 general elections and the looming question of succession. President Yoweri Museveni, in power for 38 years since 1986, is widely expected to run again. However, intense speculation focuses on the growing political profile of his son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who many believe is being groomed to take over his father’s reign.
The accusation of a well-funded, external opposition network serves to reinforce the government’s long-standing narrative that it is under constant threat from subversive elements, a justification often used to tighten political control ahead of critical electoral periods. The hunt for the fugitive engineer underscores the high-stakes nature of Ugandan politics, where the flow of money and power is a battle fought both within and beyond its borders.
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