By Jamillah Kemigisa
The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday charged and remanded two Ugandan advocates in a case involving a fraudulent land deal worth Shs917 million.
The two are Bob Mwanjuzi and Lawrence Kalamu. They face charges of forgery, using false documents, conspiracy to commit a crime, and obtaining money by false pretence.
The case is linked to a forged land lease agreement that was allegedly used to trick a businesswoman into investing in a fake project.
According to the charge sheet, the two allegedly worked together to create a fake lease agreement dated April 20, 2023.
The document claimed to be an agreement between SEMA Holding Limited and Ephrata Investments Group Limited. They then presented this document to one Kalpana Abe, claiming it was proof of a valid 10-year lease for an investment opportunity.
Prosecution says that between January and August 2023, the accused convinced Kalpana to give them Shs917 million, saying it was for an investment backed by the lease. The lease was later found to be fake.
The court heard that the two Ugandans worked with others to carry out the plan. All accused persons denied the charges and applied for bail.
Also remanded is an Ethiopian national whose names appeared as Tigist Ayalew. She is jointly charged with the two Ugandans. In addition to the fraud charges, she faces three counts of working illegally in Uganda between 2021 and May 2025.
Prosecution says she operated as a director of Ephrata Investments and as the owner of two entertainment places, Hide Out Lounge and Circuit Lounge, without a valid work permit.
Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi ruled that all accused persons be remanded until August 19 to allow the state to respond to their bail application. Criminal summons were also issued for another suspect, Sisay Bekure Melkamu.
