UGANDA, Kampala | Real Muloodi News | In the latest development surrounding the $600,000 gold scam, Kampala District Land Board chairperson David Balondemu considered the prime suspect, and his co-accused Geoffrey Mkwe have been granted bail by City Hall court grade one magistrate Rehema Nassozi.
The duo faces charges, along with businessmen James Jeff Mugisha and Godfrey Mabirizi, of obtaining money by pretence and conspiracy to defraud.
The state prosecution alleges that between March and November 2021, at the offices of Balondemu and Company Advocates along Parliamentary Avenue in Kampala, the accused, along with others still at large, falsely pretended to sell 53kg of gold to a Korean investor, Hyun UK Kim.
Appearing before the court at different intervals last month, the accused denied the charges. Seeking bail through their respective lawyers, including Caleb Alaka, Evans Ochieng, and Mukasa Mbidde, Balondemu argued that, as an officer of the court with significant legal experience, he should be granted bail.
He presented a list of substantial sureties, including Dr Richard Lukandwa, Richard Collins Kiberu, Sylvia Bahizi, and Betty Nakayima.
State attorney Mercy Yamangusho Khaidarah opposed the bail applications, citing incomplete investigations that could be jeopardised.
However, Nassozi found the sureties to be substantial and granted bail to the accused. Balondemu and Mkwe were ordered to pay USh20 million in cash, with their sureties executing a non-cash bond of USh200 million.
Additionally, they were required to deposit their passports with the court and were prohibited from leaving the country without court permission.
The co-accused, initially arrested and sent to prison, were further remanded until November 15 for the prosecution to verify the documents presented in their bail application and for an update on the progress of investigations.
The courtroom, crowded with supporters of Balondemu donned in white t-shirts bearing his name and pictures, echoed the demand for “Evidence and Justice for Balondemu David.”
Balondemu’s arrest by detectives from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit had led to his detention at the Special Investigations Department in Kireka for three days before being produced in court and subsequently remanded to Luzira prison for 16 days.
The ongoing gold scams involving law firms in Kampala continue to raise questions about potential connivance with suspects, though the firms assert they are accused solely of providing legal services to their clients.
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