Kampala District Land Board Chairperson Remanded Over Alleged Fraud
In a recent development, David Balondemu, the Chairperson of the Kampala District Land Board, has been remanded to Luzira Prison on charges related to obtaining money under false pretenses. The case was heard at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) hall Court on Friday, where Balondemu also faced charges of conspiracy to commit a felony, alongside lawyer Eric Geoffrey Mkwe, who is currently evading arrest.
Two weeks earlier, businessmen James Jeff Mugisha and Godfrey Mabirizi faced similar charges and were also remanded by the same court.
During the proceedings presided over by Grade One Magistrate Edgar Karakire, it was revealed that the accused, along with others who remain at large, allegedly engaged in fraudulent activities between March and November 2021 at the offices of Balondemu and Company Advocates along Parliamentary Avenue in Kampala City. They are accused of falsely representing that they were selling 53 kilograms of gold to Hyun UK Kim, a Korean investor, in exchange for $600,000, which was not the case.
Balondemu denied the charges against him and, represented by his legal team led by Evans Ochieng and Mukasa Mbidde, requested bail. He argued that his extensive legal experience as a lawyer and his role as an officer of the court made him a suitable candidate for bail. To support his bail application, he provided several individuals as sureties, including Dr. Richard Lukandwa, a Consultant Physician at the Medical Hub, Richard Collins Kiberu, the Managing Director of C and C Investments and Goldmark Property Limited, his wife Slyvia Bahizi, who is employed at the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), and businesswoman Betty Nakayima, who deals in chemicals under Sunrise Luxury SMC.
However, State Attorney Mercy Yamangusho Khaidarah, leading the prosecution, raised concerns about Mkwe being at large and argued that granting Balondemu bail might facilitate his escape, potentially complicating the case. She also noted that investigations were still ongoing, and releasing Balondemu at this stage could jeopardize the ongoing inquiries.
In light of these arguments, the Magistrate requested additional time to review the bail application and subsequently remanded Balondemu in custody until November 6th, 2023.
Balondemu was taken into custody three days prior to the court appearance by detectives from the State House Anti Corruption Unit and had been detained at the Special Investigations Department in Kireka before his appearance in court.
