The Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) has directed businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba to appear in person before the committee on September 23, 2026, as MPs investigate a disputed Shs140 billion Bank of Uganda guarantee.
Basajjabalaba was expected to appear before the committee on Wednesday, September 16, to respond to questions surrounding the guarantee and its recovery. However, he did not attend the sitting.
Instead, his lawyers from Magina Advocates sent a representative, Calvin Ojambo, who asked the committee to grant their client additional time to prepare for the hearing.
Ojambo told the committee that the invitation had been received late on Tuesday, September 15, leaving Basajjabalaba with limited time to prepare the necessary documentation. He also said his client was indisposed and needed more time to obtain records connected to transactions dating back to between 2009 and 2011.
The lawyers proposed September 23 or 24 as alternative dates for Basajjabalaba’s appearance, arguing that some of the matters under investigation had previously been handled through litigation.
The request triggered debate among MPs, with some members supporting the additional time while others expressed concern that repeated postponements could delay the committee’s work.
Buzaaya County MP Martin Kisule also questioned why the summons had been communicated through a law firm instead of being served directly to Basajjabalaba.
Committee Chairperson Muwada Nkunyingi said COSASE was still at the investigative stage and needed to hear from all parties involved before reaching any conclusions.
The committee is examining the involvement of Basajjabalaba’s Haba Group, Bank of Uganda and other parties that could emerge during the inquiry.
Nkunyingi said the central issue was to establish what happened to the public funds involved and understand the circumstances under which Bank of Uganda issued the guarantee.
Following the Wednesday sitting, the committee resolved that Basajjabalaba should appear personally on September 23. The fresh summons will reportedly be served through a police officer.
The inquiry centres on a Shs140 billion guarantee issued by Bank of Uganda in 2017. MPs are seeking clarification on the terms of the guarantee, the responsibilities of the parties involved, the reason for the central bank’s intervention and the progress made in recovering the money.
The committee is expected to hear from Basajjabalaba and other relevant parties before compiling its findings and recommendations.
