A 33-year-old woman has been remanded to Luzira Prison after being charged with defrauding a city-based pastor of UGX 700 million.
Ritah Namalwa, a resident of Nsasa Bulindo in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District, appeared before Grade One Magistrate Andrew Katurubuki, where she denied the charges of forgery, personation, and theft.
According to the prosecution, Namalwa, along with her husband Daniel Jed Kabanda—who is still at large—allegedly posed as employees of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) between 2020 and 2024.
They are accused of defrauding Bishop Grevaze Musisi Kiwanuka, Lead Pastor of Prayer Palace Ministries and Director of Dunamis Broadcasting Services, of UGX 374 million and USD 86,000.
The funds were allegedly intended for obtaining two licenses for television broadcasting, in line with the pastor's application to UCC for broadcast rights in April 2024.
The prosecution contends that Namalwa falsely presented herself as an engineer and personal assistant to the UCC Executive Director.
She is further charged with forging UCC tax invoices, receipts, and business cards bearing her name and the fraudulent title of "Engineer / Personal Assistant to the Executive Director.
"Namalwa pleaded not guilty and has been remanded until October 21, 2024, when the case will be mentioned in court again.
Efforts to apprehend her husband and other accomplices are ongoing.Bishop Kiwanuka, the complainant, leads Prayer Palace Ministries .
He had been seeking to expand his media operations with a television station before the alleged fraud occurred.
