Ssegujja Hassan, who had been facing charges of forgery and conspiracy to commit a felony, reached a plea bargain agreement with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

He admitted guilt to all charges and was subsequently found guilty on three separate counts. For each count, he faces a penalty of either a UGX 1.5 million fine or a two-year prison sentence.

As a crucial part of this agreement, Ssegujja has committed to testifying against his co-accused, Balondemu David, a prominent city lawyer and the Chairperson of the Kampala City Land Board.

Sseguja confessed to helping Balondemu create fake medical documents. These documents were intended to support a request for bail for Balondemu, who is facing serious accusations of dishonestly obtaining over UGX 2.2 billion and planning to cheat an American company.

In a surprising revelation, Ssegujja also shared that Balondemu took more than UGX 10 million from him. Ssegujja claims Balondemu promised to protect him from being arrested and charged by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU) and the ODPP.

This testimony offers new insights into the ongoing investigation, especially considering Balondemu’s past public statements accusing investigators and prosecutors of wrongdoing.

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Kasenge Martin, also known as Tumusiime Denis, a businessman, and Kaweesa Ronald, a painter, face charges of electronic fraud, obtaining money by false pretence, and conspiracy to commit a felony.

The accused are linked to a broader case involving the alleged defrauding of UGX 2.2 billion from American company KG Unlimited LLC.

They join other suspects, including Kampala District Land Board Chairperson Balondemu David, Mkwe Eric, and Ibona Joseph, who were previously charged in connection with the same scheme.

Investigations reveal that between November 2022 and April 2023, the suspects allegedly deceived investors by falsely claiming to award them a contract for the procurement and supply of a water plant under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries.

The funds were reportedly received by Kaweesa Ronald through M/s Bloom Advocates, acting on behalf of the accused.

The court has remanded the suspects until February 26, 2025, as investigations continue.

For updates, follow @AntiGraft_SH, @CID1_UG, and @ODPPUGANDA on social media.

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The prosecution team, led by Viola Tusingwire, has requested one of Balondemu’s defense lawyers, Robert Bautu, to recuse himself from the case due to his potential role as a prosecution witness.

During a recent court appearance, Balondemu faced three charges, including conspiring with a doctor from Mulago National Referral Hospital to commit forgery. The prosecutors sought an adjournment of the proceedings, citing a lack of access to the police file necessary for a response to Balondemu’s bail application. Tusingwire emphasized the need for Bautu to step aside from representing Balondemu, highlighting his status as a state witness in the case.

Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi addressed Bautu directly, inquiring about his involvement in making a statement to the police. Bautu denied providing a statement and expressed readiness to recuse himself if evidence surfaced linking him to the prosecution’s witness list. Sources revealed that other lawyers present during the submission of allegedly forged documents are also expected to testify for the state, including Ivan Kyazze, Caleb Alaka, and Grade One Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiko.

Balondemu, who has been held at Luzira Prison for six days, remains in custody until October 23rd, 2024. The prosecution’s case alleges that Balondemu and Dr. Hassan Ssegujja collaborated with unidentified individuals to produce false medical documents in 2023 at Kampala Hospital. These documents include a fabricated prescription form and a CT scan report, leading to the current forgery charges.

This legal turmoil adds to Balondemu’s previous troubles, including allegations of defrauding a Korean investor and falsely claiming medical treatment to secure bail. In response to claims of undergoing surgery at Kampala Hospital, investigations revealed the medical letters submitted were deemed fraudulent by the hospital’s CEO, Dr. Peter Kibuuka, resulting in additional forgery charges against Balondemu.

With Dr. Ssegujja still evading arrest, the court proceedings underscore the complexity of the forgery case and the intertwining legal challenges faced by Balondemu. As the trial unfolds, the need for transparency and accountability in the judicial process remains paramount to ensure justice is served.

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Balondemu was arraigned in the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, facing charges of forgery and conspiracy to commit a felony. The court heard that he allegedly forged medical documents to support his bail application, in relation to accusations of obtaining money by false pretense and conspiracy to defraud over UGX 2.2 Billion from an American Company, KG Unlimited LL.C.

He has been remanded until October 22, 2024, after his arrest by detectives from the State House Anti Corruption Unit and other security agencies upon his arrival from Dubai.

This recent arrest follows the reinstatement of his fraud cases, including alleged involvement in money laundering and fraudulent property transfer charges. Balondemu denied the charges brought against him during the court session and was remanded.

Previously, he had filed a civil suit seeking compensation for dismissed criminal charges but now faces challenges with the reinstatement of charges by the state.

Allegations suggest that Balondemu submitted fake medical documents during his bail application, falsely claiming medical treatment at Kampala hospital. The authenticity of these documents was refuted by the hospital’s director, Dr. Peter Kibuuka.

In October 17, 2023, Balondemu and others were arrested for obtaining money by false pretense, where they were accused of receiving substantial amounts from various sources. Despite previous dismissals of related charges due to lack of evidence, the recent developments have placed Balondemu back in legal trouble.

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Balondemu is also under scrutiny in reinstated charges following investigations by the Brig Henry Isoke led State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) regarding gold scams and other alleged sham transactions.

State owned newspaper, New Vision quoting police sources reported on Monday Balondemu was arrested soon after landing at Entebe International Airport as he returned from Dubai on Friday.

In SH-ACU’s investigations, it is alleged Balondemu, through his law firms M/s Balon Advocates and Bloom Advocates, is implicated in several cases of alleged fraud. One prominent case involves the accused defrauding Guner Kuzu Construction Limited, a Turkish Company, of a substantial amount totaling USD 3,806,885 (approximately UGX 14 billion). This deceit purportedly occurred in connection with a supposed procurement deal for the construction of hospitals in Uganda.

Additionally, Balondemu is under investigation for allegedly swindling Air Options Pty Ltd, a South African Company, of USD 1.7 million (equivalent to UGX 6.3 billion) in relation to a procurement contract for the supply, installation, and maintenance of air conditioning systems by the Ministry of Local Government. Another case involves the fraudulent acquisition of funds from Tecmo Automation Pty Ltd, a South African Company, amounting to USD 410,520 (about UGX 1.5 billion) for the purported supply of fuel and lubricants to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development.

Furthermore, Balondemu is accused of deceiving Marce’ Firefighting Technology Pty, another South African Company, of USD 60,000 (approximately UGX 225 million). Investigators are also delving into allegations of fraudulent conversion of property linked to Plot 20 Prince Charles Drive, utilizing a forged Minute No. KDLB.53/6.4/2022.

Moreover, Balondemu faces accusations of falsely allocating non-existent land, purportedly encompassed in LRV 4645 Folio 13, Plot 1-5, Kyambogo Link, to Babubhai Construction Limited, a Kenyan Company. Notably, on 12th October 2023, an invoice totaling UGX 450 million from M/s Bloom Advocates, signed by Balondemu, was reportedly issued to the company. This allocation was sanctioned by the Kampala District Land Board, over which he presides.

Court had dropped the charges but SH-ACU petitioned the DPP who reinstated them.

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The operation, which took place on 30th September 2024, involved a collaborative effort between SHACU, the Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). The team targeted individuals involved in the illegal trade of minerals, particularly gold, at the airport.

Among the arrested suspects are prominent figures such as Kananura Daniel, a businessman, Mpomba Richard and Muhwezi Benon, both clearing agents at Entebbe International Airport, Nkahirwa Pascal, a clearing agent in Kampala, Mujuzi John Keneddy, a cleaner at the airport, and Bekalaze Ismail, another clearing agent at the airport.

Authorities discovered the suspects in possession of 11 plastic boxes containing 300 metal bars that they claimed to be gold. However, a forensic analysis conducted by minerals experts from the Directorate of Geological Survey and Mines revealed that the items were not gold, but other minerals disguised as the precious metal.

The suspects have been charged at the Entebbe Chief Magistrate’s Court with multiple offenses, including dealing in minerals without a license, mingling minerals with intent to defraud, and smuggling minerals. They are currently remanded until the 25th of October 2024.

This successful operation serves as a significant blow to those attempting to deceive unsuspecting individuals, especially investors and businessmen, through fraudulent mineral dealings. The swift actions taken by SH-ACU and other agencies demonstrate a commitment to upholding the rule of law and combating illicit activities in the country.

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These fraudulent activities purportedly occurred within three legal firms, including M/s Bloom Advocates, M/s Balondemu & Co. Advocates, and M/s Balon Advocates, all believed to be associated with Balondemu.

According to a statement released by the Anti-Corruption Unit on April 29, Balondemu and his unnamed associates are accused of defrauding international businessmen from Kenya, South Africa, the United States, and Korea through fictitious gold transactions. 

One such incident involves an alleged swindle of $600,000  (Shs2.2bn) from a Korean national, Kim Uk Hyun, in a supposed 53-kilogram gold deal, purportedly facilitated by M/s Balondemu & Co. Advocates.

Another case under scrutiny by SHACU involves $1.7 million (6.3bn) from Air Options Pty Ltd, a South African company, with the transaction purportedly finalized through M/s Balon Advocates. Furthermore, an alleged scheme to defraud $410,520  (Shs 2.2bn) from KG Unlimited LLC, an American company, is attributed to M/s Bloom Advocates. There is also a case involving USD 60,000 (Shs 225m).

Additionally, Balondemu faces accusations, including the fraudulent allocation of non-existent land to a Kenyan company, Babhubai Construction Limited, for Ugx 450 million, orchestrated through Bloom Advocates. Moreover, he is implicated in a case involving the fraudulent conversion of property in Plot 20 Prince Charles Drive, where Balondemu is accused of forging documents and providing false testimony in court.

Responding to these allegations, after Balondemu petitioned him for alleged witch-hunt, Minister of Internal Affairs Kahinda Otafiire has disclosed receiving complaints from businesspeople who claim to be victims of a witch-hunt by state corruption investigators. 

Balondemu is among those who have approached Otafiire, alleging persecution by the corruption unit for refusing to offer bribes, despite purported clearance from the president through a police officer named Suzan Kasingye.

Balondemu contends that he is being targeted because he obstructed corrupt dealings involving Kampala mafias, who were reportedly siphoning off large sums of money from transactions at Owino market. He urges Otafiire to investigate the motives behind the Anti-Corruption Unit’s actions, which he alleges are veering towards persecution rather than prosecution.

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“It’s allegedly that KG Unlimited LLC, an American Company, was defrauded Ugx 2.2Bn in a purported procurement of a water plant by Ministry of Agriculture. The fraudsters purported that PPDA was conducting the procurement on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture. All the money was paid through an account of M/s Bloom Advocates. Balondemu is believed to be the proprietor of the law firm through proxies ,” a State House statement said.

Balondemu was recently bailed on another fraud case in which he is accused with others including  James Jeff Mugisha and Godfrey Mabirizi in a case where they are accused between March and November 2021 at the

of obtaining US Dollars 600,000 by falsely pretending that they were selling 53 kilograms of Gold to Hyun UK Kim a Korean investor whereas not.

Balondemu denies the charges against him and through his lawyers led by Evans Ochieng and Mukasa Mbidde asked to be granted bail.   He argued that he is an officer of the court with historical unquestionable legal experience as a lawyer.

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