Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Buganda Avenue Chief Magistrates Court docket has remanded Kampala-based attorney Drake Twebaze Katabazi to Luzira Jail over charges of conspiring with others, including Kampala District Land Board Chairman David Balondemu, to defraud an American company of over Shs2 billion.
On Tuesday, Grade One Magistrate Alex Niyonzima presided over the courtroom session in which Katabazi denied all charges. The prosecution requested more time to take a look at the documents presented by his sureties. In consequence, the courtroom remanded him to Luzira Jail unless June 13, 2025, when his bail application will likely be reconsidered.
Katabazi, a resident of Rushebeya Buying and selling Centre in Kitojo Parish, Rwamucucu Sub-county, Rukiga District, is collectively charged with 5 others. These encompass David Balondemu, who’s additionally a attorney and chairman of the Kampala District Land Board; Joseph Ibona, an accountant at Bloom Advocates; Ronald Kaweesa Tumusiime Kizito alias Denis, a carpenter from Mbogo in Kawempe; Martin Kasenge alias Dr. Alfred Musinguzi, a businessman based in Kkungu, Kira Division in Wakiso District; and Eric Geoffrey Mkwe, additionally a attorney.
In accordance with the prosecution, between November 2022 and April 2023, the accused and others unexcited at substantial defrauded Talib Antonio McDowell, a representative of KG Limitless LLC, an American company, of USD 553,000 (roughly Shs2.08 billion). The suspects allegedly claimed they were securing the corporate a contract from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Commerce and Fisheries to give agricultural drone sprayers and fertilizers—a contract that did no longer exist.
Prosecutors additionally said that the accused solid a letter addressed to KG Limitless LLC, purporting it to be authored by the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Resources Authority (PPDA), to lend credibility to the design. Katabazi’s arrest followed an operation by the Express Residence Anti-Corruption Unit led by Brigadier Henry Isoke. He turned into once detained in police custody closing week and remained in the cells unless he turned into once brought earlier than the courtroom on Tuesday.
Whereas the assorted accused persons had earlier been charged and granted bail, their trial has but to open as investigations continue and authorities pursue extra suspects unexcited on the bustle.
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