City Lawyer Balondemu Remanded to Luzira Over UGX 2.2 Billion Fake Gold Deal

Kampala, Uganda | THE BLACK EXAMINER | City lawyer David Balondemu has been remanded to Luzira government prison after appearing in City Hall court in Kampala on charges of defrauding a Chinese national in a fake gold scheme. Balondemu, who also serves as the chairperson of the Kampala District Land Board, was presented with an amended charge sheet, alongside three co-accused who were already in prison.

The four individuals stand accused of obtaining money by false pretense, as per section 305 of the Penal Code Act. Prosecutors allege that between March and November 2021, at the offices of M/s Balondemu & Co Advocates on Parliamentary Avenue in Kampala, they falsely represented to Hyun Uk Kim that they were selling 53 kilograms of gold in exchange for $600,000 (approximately shs2.2 billion).

Balondemu and his associates also face a charge of conspiring to commit a felony, a violation of section 390 of the Penal Code Act, for obtaining $600,000 from the Korean national through false pretenses.

The lawyer was apprehended by the State House Anti Corruption Unit after the Korean national filed a complaint with the president regarding his substantial financial losses to individuals in Kampala. It is alleged that Balondemu used his legal expertise to create an intricate scheme that convinced the Korean national to part with his money.

Balondemu pleaded not guilty to the charges when presented before City Hall grade one magistrate, Edgar Karakire. The state prosecutor, Mercy Yamangusho, informed the court that investigations are still ongoing.

Balondemu requested bail, citing his poor health, but the magistrate postponed the bail decision to November 6, 2023. He was remanded until then.

Balondemu is co-charged with fellow lawyer Geofrey Eric Mkwe, Jeff James Mugisha, and Godfrey Maviri.

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