Kampala Central Deputy Mayor remanded over sh450m fraud

Kampala Central Division Deputy Mayor, Hanipher Mpungu, has been remanded to Luzira Prison over allegedly defrauding a businessman of sh450m over government land. 

It is alleged that Mpungu, who also describes herself as a businesswoman, created an impression that she had powers of attorney to sell the land whereas not. Mpungu, 46, is a resident of Nangabo, Kasangati in Wakiso District. 

The government had allocated the about one-and-half acre piece of land, located on Plot 4, Berkley Lane in Entebbe, Wakiso District, to the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union (UNMU). 

Mpungu is charged with obtaining money by false pretence, contrary to section 305 of the Penal Code Act. If found guilty, the deputy mayor will serve five years in prison. She has since denied the charges. 

On Wednesday, September 13, Nakawa Court Chief Magistrate Rita Neumbe Kidasa further remanded Mpungu to Luzira Prison after she was informed that the Resident State Attorney Doreen Elima is on leave and will return on September 18, 2023. 

“The accused was supposed to apply for bail but the resident state attorney is indisposed, we pray you adjourn the matter to another date,” Mpungu’s lawyer Benson Wagabaza told the court. 

This prompted the magistrate to adjourn the case to September 20, 2023, for the hearing of Mpungu’s bail application. 

Allegations 

The prosecution alleges that during the month of May and June 2022 at Ntinda in Kampala district, with intent to defraud, obtained money worth sh450m from Tony Grace Mulinde Lugayuzi, pretending that she was selling him land, whereas not. 

Police preliminary investigations reveal that some land brokers approached Lugayuzi, saying they had land to sell in Entebbe. 

According to the Police, Lugayuzi finally met with Mpungu, who took him to the land and showed him all the documents relating to the land including powers of attorney from the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union (UNMU) instructing her to sell the land. 

It is purported that Lugayuzi later asked the UNMU president Justus Cherop about the issue and he confirmed that Mpungu had been given powers to transact on the land and Lugayuzi agreed to pay sh850m for the property. 

Cherop later denied the allegations while at Kira Road Police Station, a reason why he was not charged in the courts of law, according to a source. 

It was also agreed that Lugayuzi would pay part of the money and the remaining balance later on in the presentation of the title in the name of the complainant. 

However, the title was obtained when it was in the name of the Uganda Land Commission. This is when Lugayuzi realised that he had been conned. 

Inquiry 

Upon inquiry from the UNMU executive members, they had no knowledge about the transaction and that they were not selling the land. 

This prompted the Police to open a case against Mpungu at Kira Road Police Station and consequently issued criminal summons against her (Mpungu). The latter declined to appear before the Police despite several summons until she was arrested and produced in the courts of law.