(Kampala) – It appears that even once mighty Katikkiros (Prime Ministers) are not immune to the woes that afflict ordinary Ugandans. In a plot twist worthy of a Luganda soap opera, ex-Buganda Katikkiro John Baptist Walusimbi finds himself in the crosshairs of bailiffs and money lenders, who are threatening to drag him to court over an eye watering UGX 305 million debt.
How Did We Get Here?
Once upon a time, back in June 2024, Walusimbi approached Michael Hadoke, a city money lender, for what the suits are calling a “friendly loan.” Nothing says “friendship” quite like a high interest loan that has now turned into a full blown financial horror story. The agreed sum was UGX 277.5 million, interest included, to be paid back in one month. That month came and went like a taxi past a waving passenger on Jinja Road, and Walusimbi has not coughed up a shilling since.
According to notices served by JBM Consultants, Bailiffs & Auctioneers, acting on behalf of their client Hadoke, Walusimbi’s failure to repay has caused some serious headaches. It reads like a classic Ugandan legal love letter: “You were supposed to pay by July 15, 2024. You didn’t. Now we are coming for everything.” The notice includes a friendly reminder that his refusal to pay up may result in “great embarrassment and financial loss.” Embarrassment? In Kampala, that’s just another Tuesday!
The loan sum has now ballooned to UGX 305.35 million, thanks to debt collection fees, which clock in at a cool UGX 27.75 million. You have to admire the precision of the bailiffs here; it is like watching a boda-boda rider navigate traffic during rush hour—quick, brutal, and bound to leave someone dented.
Walusimbi has reportedly been ignoring these notices like a goat ignoring the rain, much to the chagrin of Hadoke. The bailiffs are tired of the dance and have issued a final ultimatum. Walusimbi must pay up or face the “harsh recovery action” that could include his arrest and the attachment of his property. They warned him to treat this letter with the seriousness it deserves—no idle threats here. It’s either the money or a one way ticket to the local lock up.
Debt Collection Fees: A Quick Breakdown
| Item | Amount (UGX) |
|---|---|
| Original Loan (Interest Incl.) | 277,500,000 |
| Debt Collection Fees | 27,750,000 |
| Total Debt | 305,350,000 |
If you thought this financial tragedy couldn’t get juicier, wait till you hear where the deals are happening. Pope Paul Memorial Hotel in Ndeeba is reportedly the playground where these money lenders snare their prey. This hotel is known to be a place where desperate senior citizens looking for a quick fix, sign off their future in dark hotel corners while sipping lukewarm tea. It is not just any senior citizens. Many of these deals are allegedly orchestrated by handlers who invest in imaginary gold businesses.
As for Walusimbi, sources close to him reveal that his financial struggles have been an open secret. Word on the Kampala streets is that he’s been knocking on State House’s door, seeking a financial bailout, but has been met with deafening silence. Walusimbi, it seems, is banking on a ministerial appointment to save him from his woes, with some insiders hoping his vast experience could mend ties between Buganda and the NRM government. But whether President Museveni will throw him that lifeline remains as uncertain as a rainy season in Karamoja.
John Baptist Walusimbi was a big deal back in his day, having handed over the reins to Peter Mayiga in 2013 after serving Buganda for 23 years. But like many before him, he now finds himself battling the unkind hand of time—and creditors. Whether his plea for a ministerial post will bear fruit or if he will end up in the financial wilderness remains to be seen.
