Kira Businesswoman Cons Pastor of UGX 700 Million in Fake TV License Scam

Ibrahim Jjunju
4 Min Read
(Kampala) - A 33 year old businesswoman has been remanded to Luzira Prison after being accused of defrauding a pastor of UGX 700 million through impersonation and forgery of UCC officials and documents.

(Kampala) – Ritah Namalwa, a 33 year old businesswoman from Nsasa Bulindo in Kira Municipality, was remanded to Luzira Prison on November 4, 2024, after appearing before Chief Magistrate Elias Kakooza at Nakawa Court. She faces serious charges including theft, impersonation, forgery, and uttering false documents, which are contrary to various sections of the Penal Code Act. If convicted, these offenses carry maximum sentences of up to 14 years in prison.

The court was informed that Namalwa’s husband, Daniel Jeddy Kabanda, is currently at large, reportedly having fled to Botswana following the alleged crimes. The couple is accused of defrauding Bishop Griva Musisi Kiwanuka, the lead pastor at Prayer Palace Christian Centre in Kibuye, Kampala, out of UGX 700 million.




According to the allegations, Namalwa and Kabanda posed as employees of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and deceived the bishop into transferring large sums of money for licensing two television stations. After receiving the funds, the couple allegedly disappeared, prompting the bishop to report the incident to the authorities.




State attorney Mariam Kulusum opposed bail for Namalwa, expressing concerns that she might flee to join her husband. The magistrate adjourned the case to November 6, 2024, to allow for questioning of a police officer involved in the investigation.




The police investigation revealed that Bishop Kiwanuka had submitted an application for a TV station license to the UCC on February 6 and April 3, 2023. In May of that year, Irene Kaggwa Ssewankambo, the then acting UCC executive director, authorized the licensing process for Dunamis TV.

Preliminary findings indicated that Kabanda falsely presented himself as a telecommunications engineer at UCC, while Namalwa impersonated the personal assistant to the former executive director. The couple allegedly convinced Kiwanuka to pay UGX 150 million as an initial payment for the licenses and subsequently secured further payments, ultimately leading to a loss of UGX 700 million.

After Kabanda went into hiding, Kiwanuka reported the fraud to the Jinja Road police under reference number CRB 846/2024, resulting in Namalwa’s arrest.




In a written complaint dated August 29, 2024, Kiwanuka informed UCC of the fraud, stating that its employees had deceived him. UCC responded on September 9, 2024, confirming that neither Kabanda nor Namalwa were UCC employees and that the invoices and receipts they provided were forged.

UCC’s response emphasized that there had been no requests or licenses granted to operate a TV station under the name Dunamis TV, and urged Kiwanuka to assist the police in the investigation.

The case highlights a disturbing trend in which members of the clergy have been targeted in scams, but this time the pastor is the victim. Similar cases have been reported in recent months, illustrating a pattern of fraud involving religious figures.




In September 2024, Aaron Siribaleka, a selfproclaimed Pentecostal Bishop, was charged with obtaining money by deceit after allegedly swindling over UGX 390 million from various victims. Additionally, Pastor Geofrey Kiiza Mwesigwa was recently remanded to Luzira Prison for theft involving a family land dispute.

The 2023 Police annual crime report indicated that a total of 12,924 cases of economic crimes were reported, with obtaining money by false pretenses being the most prevalent offense, accounting for 10,709 cases. Other significant offenses included forgery and counterfeiting.

Table: Charges Against Ritah Namalwa

Charge Potential Sentence
Theft Up to 14 years imprisonment
Impersonation Up to 14 years imprisonment
Forgery Up to 14 years imprisonment
Uttering False Documents Up to 14 years imprisonment
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Rumor has it that Jjunju was born with a pencil in his hand and a headline in his heart. From an early age, he displayed a peculiar fascination with headlines, often turning everyday events into front-page sensations. His first words? Not "mama" or "dada," but "breaking news."
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