Court warns defence as forgery case against Kampala land boss stalls
Kampala District Land Board chairperson David Balondemu (R) and Dr Hassan Ssegujja in the dock at Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court on May 16, 2025. PHOTO/JULIET KIGONGO
What you need to know:
- Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi expressed frustration with the repeated adjournments of the case before issuing a warning.
Court has warned the defence team representing Kampala District Land Board chairperson David Balondemu against further delays, after a forgery case involving him and co-accused Dr Hassan Ssegujja failed to proceed for the second time.
At a hearing on Friday before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court, defence lawyer Evans Ochieng, representing Mr Balondemu and holding brief for Dr Ssegujja’s lawyer, requested an adjournment, citing the absence of lead counsel Hassan Kumba.
“We have faced challenges with Mr Kumba, who is currently in Busia for election-related engagements and has been unreachable,” Mr Ochieng told the court.
But state prosecutor Viola Tusingwire objected strongly, arguing that the prosecution was ready and had brought a witness to court.
“This case was set for hearing. We have a witness ready,” she said, adding that: “Counsel says their lead lawyer is away for elections, but elections have not even started. What happens if their lawyer fails to show up again?”
Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi expressed frustration with the repeated adjournments and warned the defence that the case would proceed with or without legal representation in the future.
“You cannot have a piece of cake and eat it too,” Mr Kayizzi said. “We shall proceed with or without your lawyers. July is far, but we shall accommodate you this time.”
The magistrate set July 9 as the new hearing date and extended Mr Balondemu’s bail, stressing that delays caused by absent lawyers would no longer be tolerated.
Mr Balondemu and Dr Ssegujja are accused of forging two medical documents, a prescription dated November 7, 2023, and a CT scan request dated June 12, 2023, allegedly issued at Kampala Hospital.
They are also facing a separate charge of conspiracy to commit a felony.
