Businesswoman charged over sh1.5b property fraud

KAMPALA - A businesswoman has been charged again with fraudulently obtaining sh1.5 billion, claiming that she was going to transfer the property of the late Archbishop Paul Bakyenga.

Annah Asiimwe, 30, a resident of Kakoba division in Mbarara city is facing thirty-nine charges alongside Rodgers Gains Bagambaki, 24, a resident of Kakika in Mbarara city.

They are accused of allegedly promising to transfer property belonging to the late Bakyenga, to Jordan Ssendegeya Zziwa. However, the charge sheet does not disclose the details of the property.

The charges against them are: obtaining money by false pretence, forgery, uttering fake documents and money laundering.

In July 2024, Asiimwe was initially charged alone. However, last week, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) amended the charges to include Bagambaki. Asiimwe has been on remand since July last year.

On December 11, 2024, Asiimwe applied for bail before the head of the Anti-Corruption Court, Justice Lawrence Gidudu. However, her application was denied after the court found her sureties to be insubstantial.

Prosecution’s case

Prosecution led by Senior State Attorney Nam Terpista from ODPP  alleges that Asiimwe and Bagambaki in 2021 and 2023, while in Mbarara city obtained sh1.5 billion from Jordan Ssendegeya Zziwa purporting that they were going to transfer property of the late Archbishop Paul Bakyenga into Asiimwe and Zziwa’s names whereas not.

It is further alleged that Asiimwe on January 16, 2023, in Mbarara city forged a letter of confirmation dated January 16, 2011, addressed to Zziwa claiming it was signed by Mukami Kariuki country manager of the World Bank Group.

According to the prosecution Asiimwe on January 14, 2023, in Mbarara city uttered a fake letter of confirmation dated January 14, 2023, to Zziwa purporting to have been signed by Kariuki.

Prosecution alleges that Asiimwe on January 11, 2023, in Mbarara forged a prior delivery letter addressed to Zziwa which he claimed to have been signed by Kariuki.

Money laundering charges

On charges of money laundering, the prosecution alleges that on July 17, 2024, in Mbarara City, Asiimwe used sh35 million of the sh1.5 billion to purchase a plot of land at Kyarwabuganda Cell, Kakoma Parish, from Robert Mwebaze.

It is alleged that Asiimwe knew the money was proceeds of a crime and used it to conceal its illicit source.

Additionally, the prosecution claims that on July 23, 2021, at Kempungu LC1 Zone in Mbarara City, Asiimwe and others still at large used sh40 million to purchase another plot of land at Kyarwabuganda Cell, Kakoma Ward, from Boaz Nyatira. The transaction was allegedly conducted to disguise the illicit origin of the funds.

Further allegations state that on October 14, 2023, in Mbarara City, Asiimwe transferred a Toyota Harrier (registration number UBM 44TC) to Brian Lubega, despite knowing that the vehicle had been acquired using proceeds of a crime. The transfer was allegedly intended to conceal its illicit source.

The prosecution also claims that on the same day, October 14, 2023, Asiimwe acquired a Toyota Fielder (registration number UBK 858K), fully aware that the money used for its purchase was proceeds of a crime.

It is alleged that on July 11, 2024, at Kabaare LC1 Zone in Mbarara City, Asiimwe purchased another plot of land for sh12 million from Bruno Twinamatsiko, knowing that the funds used were illicitly obtained.

Asiimwe is further accused of buying a plot of land from Pison Byamukama for sh32 million in July 2021, despite being aware that the funds were proceeds of a crime.

On January 20, 2023, at Kempunyu Cell in Mbarara City North Division, the prosecution alleges that Asiimwe used sh11 million to purchase a plot of land from Penena Kekimuri while knowing that the money was illicitly acquired.

Furthermore, the prosecution contends that on June 17, 2022, at Kempungu LC1 Zone in Mbarara, Asiimwe used sh50 million to purchase a piece of land from Kenneth Turyasiima, allegedly knowing the funds were proceeds of a crime.

The transaction was reportedly intended to disguise the source of the money.
Asiimwe and Bagambaki have denied all charges.