Kampala, (UG):- The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Ms Winnie Nankya Thursday dismissed fraud-related charges against Kampala District Land Board Chairperson Mr David Balondemu citing want of prosecution in the case.
When the case came up for hearing on July 11, Ms Nankya said prosecution failed to present a witness despite being given the last adjournment thus prompting the dismissal of the case with immediate effect.
“Since September last year, this case has been in court with the prosecution seeking adjournments which have always been granted to present its witnesses in the case which it has failed to adhere to. This matter is hereby dismissed in accordance with Section 119 of the Magistrates Court Act,” Ms Nankya held.
Court further held that the prosecution is at liberty to reinstate the case against Mr Balondemu whenever they are ready to prosecute him.
Balondemu, who is also the lead partner at Balondemu and Company Advocates has been facing charges of alleged fraud in connection with obtaining more than Shs2 billion from a United States-based firm, KG Unlimited LLC together with his co-accused; Mr Joseph Ibona, an accountant at Bloom Advocates Limited and another lawyer, Eric Geoffrey Mkwe.
Case Background
It is alleged that between November 2022 and April 2023 while at Bloom Advocates located at Kingdom Building in Kampala, Kaweesa, Balondemu, Mkwe, Ibona and others still at large, had intentions to defraud obtained $553,000 (more than Shs2 billion) from KG Unlimited LLC by pretending that they were going to award it a contract of supplying agricultural Drone Sprayers and fertilizers from Ministry of agriculture, animal industries and fisheries, whereas not.
The state contends that the four accused persons and others on the run conspired to commit a felony by obtaining the said money falsely from the American firm.
Mr Balondemu was granted bail in another case in October 2023 after he was charged for allegedly defrauding a Korean investor of over Shs2 billion in a gold scam. Mr Balondemu is jointly facing the charge with James Jeff Mugisha 34, and Godfrey Maviri 38 both self-employed.
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