Kampala District Land Board Chairperson, David Balondemu, has been remanded to Luzira by the Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court over forgery charges related to medical documents.
Balondemu, a lawyer, was arrested upon his return from abroad and is jointly charged with Dr. Hassan Ssegujja, who is still at large.
The court has today Tuesday heard that Balondemu and Ssegujja allegedly created false medical documents, including a prescription form dated November 7, 2023, and a CT scan report dated June 12, 2023, at Kampala Hospital in 2023. Balondemu denied the charges and applied for bail, citing his four-day detention and violation of his right to a speedy hearing.
State Attorney Viola Tusingwire requested more time to verify his documents, stating that she needed ample time to review the documents and obtain affidavits to respond to Balondemu’s bail application.
The matter has been adjourned to October 21st, 2024, for the State’s response.
Balondemu’s troubles began in 2023 when he was arraigned at Buganda Road Court on charges of conspiring to obtain money by false pretense. He was accused of defrauding KG Unlimited LLC of $553,000 by falsely promising a contract for agricultural drone sprayers and fertilizers.
Although he was released from City Hall Magistrates Court on charges related to defrauding a Korean investor, the current forgery charges stem from documents he submitted to seek temporary freedom.
The Magistrate warned Balondemu that he would face forgery charges if the medical letters were found to be fake. Consequently, Balondemu has been remanded to Luzira Prison until October 21st, 2024. Warrants of arrest have been issued against him and Dr. Ssegujja.
Balondemu presented sureties, including Sarah Nalwoga, David Musinguzi, and Betty Nakayima, to support his bail application. The court verified their relationships, and Magistrate Kayizzi expressed concerns about sureties providing false information.
The forgery charges against Balondemu and Ssegujja are serious, and the outcome of this case will have significant implications for their careers and reputations.
