Pastor detained over fraud

PIC: Pastor Daniel Walugembe. (Credit: Denis Dibele)

PROBE | LAND

KAMPALA - A city pastor, Daniel Walugembe, who doubles as a land dealer was yesterday detained by the land probe over allegations that he defrauded government of over sh2.5b.

The commission's chairperson, Justice Catherine Bamugemereire, directed investigators to take Walugembe to Wandegeya police station to record an additional statement.

Bamugemereire said pastor Walugembe of Internal Gospel Church in Kampala, should explain to the investigators how he got involved in questionable land transactions.

Walugembe has been dragged to the land commission by Elisabeth Musoke, a clinical psychologist for allegedly selling land belonging to her family to the Uganda Land Commission (ULC) without consent .The land in dispute measures approximately 507 acres.

Earlier, before Walugembe was taken to record a statement, he was grilled over his role in which he purportedly duped the ULC to pay him sh2.5b over land which he had no claims.

Walugembe has maintained his innocence, saying he did not defraud the family of Musoke. He said he only sold his claim to ULC after he paid sh500m to Musoke's family.

Commissioner  Robert  Ssebunya  had  no kind  words  for  Walugembe whom he  referred to as thief saying had stolen public funds. Also, commissioner Mary Ochan asked Walugembe to publically repent over his dishonest conduct.