Ritah Namalwa, a 33-year-old businesswoman, has been remanded to Luzira prison for allegedly posing as a Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) engineer and defrauding a church of Shs 700 million.
She appeared before Grade One Magistrate Andrew Katurubuki at Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court, facing four charges: theft, personation, forgery, and uttering false documents, which she denied.
Allegations Against Namalwa
The prosecution alleges that between 2020 and 2024, Namalwa and others stole USD 86,000 and Shs 374 million from Dunamis Media and Prayer Palace Ministry. She allegedly impersonated a UCC engineer and personal assistant to the executive director, forging UCC tax invoices and business cards .
Namalwa, along with her husband Jed Daniel Kabanda, purportedly obtained Shs 700 million from Bishop Musisi Kiwanuka Griva of Prayer Palace Church in Kibuye, promising TV licenses and equipment for two TV stations. The complainant had applied for a license to operate a television broadcast, and Kabanda was introduced as a telecommunication engineer supervising payments and operations.
The investigation revealed that all invoices and receipts provided by Namalwa and Kabanda were fake and forged.
The complainant paid over Shs 700 million through the couple, with an additional Shs 250 million unaccounted for. Namalwa has been remanded until October 21, when she will appear before Trial Chief Magistrate Erias Kakooza.