Man Convicted of Defrauding NBS Journalist of Shs 55M in Bogus Land Deal

The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s court has found Moses Mugalya guilty of forgery, uttering false documents, and defrauding NBS TV journalist Jamila Mulindwa Namuyiga of Shs 55 million. Chief Magistrate Neumbe Ritah Kidasa delivered the ruling after determining that the prosecution successfully proved all three charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

The fraudulent transaction took place in April 2022. Namuyiga, who was searching for land on behalf of her mother, was introduced to Mugalya by a broker. The convict posed as the rightful owner of two plots of land located in Kiwale, Nakwero, in Wakiso district, using the alias Musajjawaza Achileo Migadde.

During the meeting at Twed Towers in Kampala, Mugalya presented duplicate certificates of title, transfer forms, and an identity card. Relying on these documents, the journalist paid Shs 48 million initially and completed the Shs 55 million total purchase price the following day.

The deceit unravelled when the documents were taken to the Ministry of Lands for transfer. Officials at the Kyaddondo Zonal Office discovered that the titles featured forged signatures and an incorrect official seal. Furthermore, the actual registered proprietor of one of the plots testified that he had never interacted with Mugalya or sold any land to him.

Rejecting the defense’s claim that the matter was merely a civil contract dispute, the magistrate highlighted that the accused had made fraudulent misrepresentations regarding his identity and property ownership. The court concluded that Mugalya intentionally presented forged documents to induce the buyer to part with her money. Sentencing is scheduled following upcoming mitigation submissions, as reported by The Observer.