Pastor Sirajje Semanda from Revival Church in Bombo town council has appeared before the Luwero Grade One Magistrate’s Court on two fresh counts of fraud. He appeared before the Luwero Grade One Magistrate, John Paul Obuya together with his co-accused Zaituni Chandiru on Wednesday afternoon.
They were charged with obtaining money by false pretense Contrary to Section 305 of the penal code act and conspiracy to obtain money by false contrary to section 309 of the same code. The Prosecution led by Luwero State Roselyn Kipola told Court that between May and June 2019, Pastor Semanda, Chandiru, and others still at large obtained 15.71 million Shillings from Susan Baluka, a resident of Wobulenzi town council promising to give her birds and animals lobbied from Operation Wealth Creation through Prosperous Pastors and Followers SACCO.
The prosecution claimed that the accused conspired to defraud Baluka. The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges. Kipola informed the court that investigations into the matter were still ongoing and prayed for an adjournment.
Obuya informed Pastor Semanda that he had a right to bail but he was unable to do so and asked for an adjournment, saying that his defense lawyer had delayed filing the application. Obuya remanded the dou until November 16th, 2022 when they will return for the mention of their case.
Prison warders transferred Ssemanda to the court holding cells awaiting the van to transport him back to Luzira prison where he was remanded earlier. Court extended Chandiru’s bail until when she will return for the mention of their case.
Baluka told URN shortly after the court session that the money Semanda took was savings for 701 followers who were expecting animals and birds to boost their household incomes.
Semanda was arrested in 2020 for obtaining 82.5 million Shillings by false pretense from Geoffrey Owor, a pastor and coordinator of Pentecostal Churches in Tororo district.
He appeared before Buganda Road Grade One Magistrate, which remanded him to Luzira prisons. Semanda reportedly took the money with promises of providing vulnerable pupils half bursaries and extending support through the OWC program.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit intercepted Ssemanda at Mutukula border while trying to flee the country.
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