Court Grants Bail to Man Accused of Fraudulent Dealings in Garuga Estate

What the report says

The Buganda Magistrates Court has granted Shs3 million cash bail to Charles Byaruhanga, a 65-year-old accused in a case involving alleged fraudulent dealings tied to the estate and business interests of the late businessman Dr James Musinguzi Garuga. According to Nile Post, Chief Magistrate Ritah Neumbe Kidasa imposed conditions that include surrendering Byaruhanga’s passport and depositing the title for his land in Masajja, Wakiso District. His sureties were each bonded at Shs50 million.

The case centres on the alleged transfer of about 849 hectares, or roughly 2,097 acres, of land in Bulemezi Ngoma, Nakaseke District. Prosecutors say the property is registered in the name of Incafex Limited, a company linked to Garuga’s business holdings, and contend that the transfer was done without proper corporate authority and contrary to a Supreme Court injunction. They also allege that company records were altered through filings that improperly named directors and used purported resolutions.

Nile Post reported that the court issued criminal summons for Byaruhanga’s co-accused, Agaba Magulu Male and Henry Hapa Nganwa. The allegations form part of a broader dispute over control of companies connected to Garuga after his death. In related corporate developments, Uganda Registration Services Bureau previously ordered disputed filings removed from the register after objections from shareholder Mathew Rukikaire. The accusations have not been proved in court.