August 29th 2025 marked two years and several months since Dr David Balondemu’s arrest, arraignment and trial over controversial fraud charges. Notably, Balondemu’s arrest followed an investigation he had previously conducted, uncovering a fraudulent scheme, designed to rip off government of sixty one billion shillings. After uncovering the fraudulent scheme, Balondemu duly authored a report to the president, alerting him about the same, hence sparing government of the huge financial loss.
The Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka later, based on the report , advised the president to pay one billion shillings as a favor to Princess Specioza Nassuna who had earlier on been coached to drive the fraudulent scheme by claiming whereas not, to own land at Owino market. For the last two years and several months, Balondemu has been frequenting courts, the prosecution side has been unable to produce incriminating evidence. Meanwhile, Gen Yoweri Museveni, who appointed him as head of Kampala District Land Board, has throughout his court trials and tribulations stuck with him.
It is understood that one of Gen Museveni’s aides had previously analysed evidence on record and ultimately exonerated Balondemu. But it still remains unclear whether or not the president ever saw or acted on that legal opinion. The courts themselves previously dismissed all of these charges over the State House unit’s failure to table incriminating evidence for more than a year.
But the unit shortly thereafter re-arrested Balondemu and returned him to court complete with the same earlier on dismissed charges. More than a year later, the unit still struggles to find incriminating evidence, culminating into a long-winded prosecution. After the charges being dismissed by the courts, Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, the Director of Public Prosecution ( DPP), Justice Jane Frances Abodo and the unit’s head, Brig Henry Isoke reportedly held a joint meeting and reviewed evidence on the case files.
The said meeting had apparently been sparked by a civil suit Balondemu had earlier on filed at the High Court, demanding up to two billion shillings centered on false and malicious prosecution. He later on withdrew the civil suit from the High Court in preference for settlement of criminal cases over which he had been re-arrested. But the unit has since then maintained the criminal cases in court despite allegedly lacking incriminating evidence. So, therefore, as the unit continues to drag its feet, the Attorney General or DPP bear the responsibility of advising on the way forward.
Author Profile
- Mr. Stephen Kasozi Muwambi is a seasoned crime investigative writer, majoring in judicial-based stories. His two decades’ experience as a senior investigative journalist has made him one of the best to reckon on in Uganda. He can also be reached via [email protected]
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