KAMPALA, Feb 7, 2025 (BSS?AFP) - Uganda's top finance official and eight others were charged with money laundering over the theft of nearly $16 million intended to repay development loans, according to court documents seen by AFP.

Accountant General Lawrence Semakula was among nine officials taken into custody on Tuesday following an investigation into the "fraudulent diversion" of $15.7 million from the Bank of Uganda.

Semakula and seven of the officials appeared before capital Kampala's anti-corruption court on Thursday and were charged with money laundering, electronic fraud, causing financial loss to the government, abuse of office, and corruption, according to the charge sheet seen by AFP.

A ninth defendant was also charged but did not appear in court, which issued a summons, according to local media.

"I remand all the accused persons until February 18," chief magistrate Racheal Nakazze said, before adjourning the session after a request from the prosecution.

The prosecution told the court that Semakula and the eight others diverted funds intended to service debt owed to the World Bank and African Development Bank to accounts in Japan and the UK.

But, requesting the adjournment, prosecutors said they were still investigating.

Judge Nakazze said the anti-corruption court did not have jurisdiction over the money-laundering charges, which would be tried at the High Court.

All nine denied the charges.