UGANDA, Kampala | Real Muloodi News | Amid a complex legal battle, David Balondemu, the Chairperson of the Kampala District Land Board, finds his bail prospects hanging by a thread.
Chief Executive Officer of Kampala Hospital Limited, Dr. Peter Kibuuka, declared that medical documents presented by Balondemu were forged, adding a new layer of complexity to the ongoing case.
Balondemu, accompanied by accountant Joseph Ibona, faced charges of conspiring to obtain money by pretence in a court presided over by Grade One Magistrate Winnie Nankya.
The prosecution alleges that between November 2022 and April 2023, they fraudulently obtained $553,000 from KG Unlimited LLC, falsely promising a contract for supplying agricultural drone sprayers and fertilisers from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries.
Seeking bail, Balondemu’s legal team, led by seven lawyers, argued that he was due for surgery, withholding specific details for confidentiality.
However, the prosecution, led by State Attorney Ivan Kyazze, countered this by asserting that the medical documents were fabricated, as per Kampala Hospital’s CEO.
Dr Kibuuka responded to the allegations, stating, “According to our records, Mr Balondemu has never been a patient at Kampala Hospital.”
The prosecution filed a criminal application challenging the authenticity of the medical documents, urging the court to address this matter before ruling on bail.
In response, Balondemu’s lawyers vehemently opposed the application, accusing the prosecution of witch-hunting and attempting to unduly delay the bail process.
Magistrate Winnie Nankya acknowledged the seriousness of forgery allegations but emphasised the need for a comprehensive understanding before making decisions.
The court granted leave to the prosecutor to present the application, recognising the gravity of the forgery charges.
As the court adjourned, cross-examination of Dr. Kibuuka awaited before the bail ruling could proceed. Meanwhile, Balondemu recently remanded on charges related to a separate fraudulent gold deal, faces an intricate legal web.
In another legal entanglement, Balondemu, accused of fraud, was remanded to Luzira prison until November 29, pending a ruling on his bail application.
Jointly remanded with Bloom Advocates Limited accountants Joseph Ibona and Eric Geoffrey Mkwe, Balondemu faces charges related to obtaining over Shs2 billion from an American firm, KG Unlimited LLC.
The court decision followed a State accusation by Ivan Kyazze, alleging that Balondemu presented forged medical documents to justify bail.
Kyazze argued that Balondemu, through his lawyers, claimed he was due for a medical operation on November 22.
The state attorney presented a sworn statement stating that Balondemu was not a patient at the medical facility, urging the court to address the forgery accusations before ruling on bail.
Balondemu’s lawyers objected to the State’s submission, accusing the government lawyer of a witch-hunt.
Magistrate Winnie Nankya stood over the case, recognising the seriousness of forgery charges, and granted leave for the prosecutor to present evidence. The court’s ruling on bail awaits the resolution of these complex issues.
This legal saga follows a pattern for Balondemu, who, on October 20, was remanded to Luzira Prison over defrauding a Korean investor of more than Shs2 billion in a gold scam.
Charged alongside James Jeff Mugisha and Godfrey Maviri, Balondemu faces a history of legal challenges, highlighting the intricate nature of his legal troubles.
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