Kerry Howard Mwesigwa.
Kampala, November 21, 2023 | David Balondemu, the chairperson of the Kampala Land Board, and his co-accused, Joseph Ibona, were yesterday November 20, remanded to Luzira Prison, after facing fresh charges of obtaining money by pretense and conspiracy to commit a felony at the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Court.
The State alleges that Balondemu, Ibona, and others, while operating under the law firm M/S Bloom Advocates, obtained over sh2.2bn from an American company, KG Unlimited LLC, under false pretenses. The funds were supposedly for a contract to supply agricultural drone sprayers and fertilizers from the Ministry of Agriculture, which, as per the State’s claims, was never intended.
Balondemu, who is also the Kampala Land Board chairperson, was arrested by Criminal Investigation Directorate officers attached to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) on Friday evening, following fresh fraud charges sanctioned by the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (ODPP). His arrest is related to an alleged fraud case involving sh2.2b, with accusations of presenting himself alongside others as Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) officials, luring the American firm into a deceptive contract.
This arrest comes on the heels of another recent case where Balondemu was released on bail for allegedly defrauding a South Korean national of sh2.2b in a fake gold deal scam. The unfolding events raise questions about the intersection of power, influence, and potential financial malfeasance.
Moreover, the ongoing investigations reveal other cases against Balondemu, including one where a South African firm, Air Options Pty Ltd, reportedly lost $1.7m (sh6.4b) through his law firm, Balon Advocates. This adds to the complex web of legal entanglements the Kampala Land Board chairperson finds himself in.
As the legal proceedings progress, the courtroom drama continues to shed light on the alleged misdeeds of a prominent figure in Kampala. The public awaits further revelations and the eventual outcomes of these cases, pondering the consequences for a man once known for his role in land matters now facing serious allegations of financial misconduct.
