Kampala-based lawyer Drake Twebaze Katabazi has been remanded to Luzira Prison by the Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court, facing charges of conspiring with others, including Kampala District Land Board Chairman David Balondemu, to defraud an American company of over Shs2 billion.

Katabazi appeared before Grade One Magistrate Alex Niyonzima on Tuesday, where he denied all charges. The prosecution requested additional time to verify documents presented by his sureties, leading to his remand until June 13, 2025, when his bail application will be reconsidered.

Katabazi, a resident of Rushebeya Trading Centre in Kitojo Parish, Rwamucucu Sub-county, Rukiga District, is jointly charged with five other individuals. These include:

According to the prosecution, between November 2022 and April 2023, the accused, along with others still at large, allegedly defrauded Talib Antonio McDowell, a representative of KG Unlimited LLC, an American company, of USD 553,000 (approximately Shs2.08 billion). The suspects purportedly claimed they were securing a non-existent contract from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries for the supply of agricultural drone sprayers and fertilisers.

Prosecutors further stated that the accused forged a letter addressed to KG Unlimited LLC, purporting it to be authored by the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA), to lend credibility to their alleged scheme.

Katabazi’s arrest stemmed from an operation conducted by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, led by Brigadier Henry Isoke. He was detained in police custody last week before being presented in court on Tuesday.

While the other accused persons were previously charged and granted bail, their trial has not yet commenced as investigations continue and authorities pursue additional suspects who remain at large.