Kampala, (UG): Kampala-based lawyer, Dr David Balondemu has been arraigned in court on fresh charges for allegedly defrauding more than two billion shillings (shs2bn) from a United States-based firm, KG Unlimited LLC.
Balondemu, who is also the Chairperson of Kampala District Land Board (KDLB) on Monday appeared before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court where he was jointly charged with Bloom Advocates Limited accountant Joseph Ibona.
Court heard that the accused between November 2022 and April 2023 at Bloom Advocates located at Kingdom Building in Kampala, with intent to defraud obtained $553,000 (more than Shs2 billion) from KG Unlimited LLC by falsely pretending that they were going to award it a contract of supplying agricultural Drone Sprayers and fertilisers from Uganda’s ministry of agriculture, animal industries and fisheries whereas not.
It is further alleged that the four accused and others on the run conspired to commit a felony by obtaining the said money falsely from the American firm.
Balondemu, and his co-accused however, denied the charges and were remanded to Luzira Prison amidst lengthy submissions from their lawyers seeking to have them bailed, pending the hearing of their case.
“There are many documents involved in this application. The national identification cards, the employment cards, local council letters, affidavits opposing the application and medical forms of Balondemu,” Presiding magistrate, Ms Winnie Nankya held on Monday afternoon.
” So, I need time to look through these documents before I make a decision on the application. I am remanding you until Wednesday when you (Balondemu) are supposed to have an operation,” she added before remanding the duo to Luzira until Wednesday, November 22.
This is the second time that Balondemu, who is currently on bail pending trial, is appearing in court on similar accusations. On October 20, Balondemu was remanded to Luzira Prison over defrauding a Korean investor of more than Shs2billion in a gold scam.
In this case, Balondemu is jointly facing the charge with 34-year-old James Jeff Mugisha and 38-year-old Godfrey Maviri, both self-employed.
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