(Kampala) – Former State Minister for Lands, Isaac Isanga Musumba, has been sentenced to six months in prison after failing to pay a UGX 160 million debt owed to businessman Charles Wakwale. The Commercial Court in Kampala ordered Musumba’s imprisonment after he was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for his non payment.
Musumba was arrested and brought before the court on October 23, 2024, where Justice Patience Tumusiime Rubagumya presided over the case. The court ruled that Musumba had failed to honor his debt agreement with Wakwale, leading to his detention in a civil prison.
According to court documents, Musumba borrowed UGX 160 million from Wakwale on August 14, 2023, with a promise to repay the full amount by August 18, 2023. However, Musumba did not fulfill his obligation, and efforts to settle the debt resulted in the issuance of 16 cheques from his Housing Finance Bank account, all of which bounced.
Wakwale, through his lawyers from Angualia Busiku and Company Advocates, informed Musumba about the dishonored cheques and made repeated demands for payment, but Musumba has so far refused to clear the debt. In the legal filings, Wakwale emphasized that Musumba’s actions amounted to a breach of contract and that no valid defense had been presented by Musumba, who had acknowledged both receiving the loan and issuing the faulty cheques.
Wakwale is now seeking full repayment of the UGX 160 million, as well as coverage for legal costs incurred due to the breach of contract. Musumba’s imprisonment follows his consistent refusal to settle the outstanding debt despite numerous demands.
