The Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court on Thursday remanded Ritah Nalwadda, a 33-year-old Alias Namalwa resident of Nsasa Bulindo Kira Municipality in Wakiso District, to Luzira Prison on charges of forgery, impersonation, and theft.
The hearing was presided over by Magistrate Andrew Katurubuki, sitting in for Chief Magistrate Erias Kakooza.
Nalwadda, along with others still at large, is accused of stealing approximately Ugx700 million from Bishop Grivas Musisi Kiwanuka, the Lead Pastor of Prayer Palace Ministries and Director of Dunamis Broadcasting Services, between 2020 and 2024 in Nakawa Division, Kampala.
According to court records, Bishop Kiwanuka applied for a license on April 3, 2024, to operate a television broadcast, as required by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Act.
Nalwadda and her husband, Daniel Jed Kabanda, who is currently on the run, allegedly misrepresented themselves as employees of the UCC and deceived the Bishop into giving them said amount in exchange for licenses to operate two television stations.
The prosecution has charged Nalwadda with impersonation, claiming she falsely presented herself as an Engineer and Personal Assistant to the Executive Director of UCC, despite having no connection to the commission.
She is also accused of forging documents, including UCC tax invoices, receipts, and business cards that bore her name and fraudulent title.
During the proceedings, Namalwa denied all charges. However, no State Attorney was present to provide updates on the status of the ongoing investigations.
Nalwadda has been remanded until her next hearing, scheduled for October 21.
This case underscores the persistent issues of fraud and impersonation in Uganda, highlighting the importance of increased vigilance against such criminal activities.
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