Trial of businesswoman accused in sh1.5b land fraud case set for September 16

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The trial of a businesswoman accused of fraudulently obtaining sh1.5 billion by falsely claiming to be the daughter of the late Archbishop Paul Bakyenga has been scheduled for hearing.

Annah Asiimwe, 30, a resident of Kakoba in Mbarara city, faces 39 charges, including obtaining money by false pretences, forgery, uttering false documents, and money laundering.

Prosecution alleges that Asiimwe duped Jordan Ssendegeya by promising to transfer property belonging to the late Archbishop Bakyenga as part of the fraudulent scheme.

According to a cause list dated September 15, 2025, from the Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court, the trial will be presided over by Justice David Makumbi and is set to begin on September 16, 2025.

Prosecution’s case

It is alleged that on January 15, 2023, in Mbarara city, Asiimwe forged a letter of confirmation dated January 16, 2011, addressed to Ssendegeya and claimed it had been signed by Mukami Kariuki of the World Bank Group whereas not.

The prosecution also alleges that on August 17, 2023, within Mbarara city, Asiimwe forged a letter of activity review approval addressed to Ssendegeya, falsely claiming it had been issued by Kampala Archbishop Paul Ssemwogerere.

Money laundering charges

On charges of money laundering, the prosecution further alleges that on July 17, 2024, in Mbarara city, Asiimwe used sh35 million of the 1.5 billion to purchase a plot of land at Kyarwabuganda cell, Kakoma parish, from Robert Mwebaze. It is alleged that she knew the money was the proceeds of a crime and used it to conceal the illicit source.

It is further alleged that on July 23, 2021, at Kempungu LC1 zone in Mbarara city, Asiimwe and others, still at large, used sh40 million to purchase a plot of land at Kyarwabuganda cell, Kakoma ward, from Boaz Nyatira. The prosecution contends that the transaction was carried out to disguise the illicit origin of the funds.

Additionally, the prosecution alleges that on October 14, 2023, in Mbarara city, Asiimwe transferred a Toyota Harrier motor vehicle, registration number UBM 44TC, to Brian Lubega.

The vehicle was allegedly acquired illicitly, and Asiimwe is said to have known at the time that it was the proceeds of a crime. The transfer was reportedly intended to conceal its illicit source.

According to the prosecution, on July 11, 2024, at Kabaare LC1 zone in Mbarara city, Asiimwe purchased another plot of land for sh12 million from Bruno Twinamatsiko, allegedly knowing that the money used was proceeds of a crime.

She is also accused of buying a plot of land from Pison Byamukama for sh32 million in July 2021, despite being aware that the funds were illicitly acquired.