Overview:
The Chief Magistrate warned the accused to strictly adhere to the bail conditions.Mushemeza is expected to return to court on a date to be communicated once investigations are complete and the trial process formally begins.
Ismail Mushemeza Kambanda, the Kitagwenda District Chairperson, is out on bail after spending time on remand since December 2025 over allegations of fraud. Mushemeza was arrested in December 2025 by officers attached to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU), working jointly with the Criminal Investigations Directorate and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, on allegations of seven counts of obtaining money by false pretence.
He had been on remand at Kamwenge Government Prison in Kamwenge District. Prosecutors allege that between 2024 and 2025, Mushemeza defrauded several job seekers by promising them employment in Kitagwenda District despite there being no vacancies. The applicants reportedly paid millions of shillings in exchange for what later turned out to be fake appointment letters.
While delivering her ruling on Tuesday, Kamwenge Chief Magistrate Harriet Atim Okello said the court considered the length of time the accused had already spent on remand and the status of the case. The magistrate noted that Mushemeza has been in custody since December 12, 2025, yet the matter is still under inquiry and trial has not commenced.
Court granted him a cash bail of Shs 3.5 million and ordered him to deposit his passport and seek permission from court before travelling outside Uganda. Each of his three sureties was bonded at Shs 5 million, non-cash. The Chief Magistrate warned the accused to strictly adhere to the bail conditions.Mushemeza is expected to return to court on a date to be communicated once investigations are complete and the trial process formally begins.
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