Confusion As Peace Bagorogoza Storm Court To Rescue Retired Army Officer Charles Byaruhanga Accused Of Stealing Late James Garuga’s Land

There was pandemonium at Buganda Road court in Kampala after Peace Kesiime Bagorogoza , the troubled wife of late businessman Dr James Musinguzi Garuga stormed the magistrates court chambers to rescue a retired army officer Captain Charles Byaruhanga accused of stealing land belonging to the late businessman in Nakaseke district.

The suspect Rtd Captain Charles Byaruhanga, a 65-year-old appeared on Thursday before Chief Magistrate Ritah Kidasa at Buganda Road court.

He is accused of fraudulently transferring the title to about 849 hectares of land owned by Incafex Limited, a company belonging to the late businessman Dr James Musinguzi Garuga.

He pleaded not guilty to both counts, fraudulent transfer of title and conspiracy to defraud the company.

The land in question is located in Ngoma, Bulemezi, Nakaseke District on Block 1004, Plot 2, Freehold Register Volume LUW 38, Folio 3).

Prosecutors led by Chief State Attorney Joan Keko and Senior State Attorney Grace Amy say Byaruhanga worked with advocate Agaba Maguru (66) and cattle keeper Henry Hapa Nganwa (74) to execute a sale agreement and transfer forms for the land.

They say Incafex and its subsidiary Garuga Properties Limited never authorised this fraudulent sale.

The offences happened in Kampala on July 16, 2025 without a valid board resolution and in defiance of a Supreme Court injunction issued on November 17, 2023.

During bail hearing, Byaruhanga’s lawyers told court that he was too sick and that his health problems couldn’t be managed by prison authorities.

They also presented medical report from Luzira Prisons to support their claim.

The defence presented five sureties, his wife, former MP Elijah Okupa ,a real estate dealer, Peace Kesiime Bagorogoza and Johnny Nobert Musinguzi , another son of late Garuga something that stired confusion and murmurs inside courtroom as people wondered how the people supposed to defend the estate of their fallen father turned out to save man, his former driver and employee accused of stealing the land by fraudulently transferring it into his names even when the owner was still on his death fighting for his life.

Meanwhile, the prosecution opposed bail saying that the offences are serious given the land’s size and value and that Byaruhanga occupies the stolen property and could therefore interfere with witnesses.

    Ruling

In her ruling, her worship Rita Kidasa agreed on the land’s value and call for strict conditions but also considered his age, fixed home and medical condition noting that a prison medical report recommended treatment outside prison.

Byaruhanga was granted bail on Shs3 million cash bail

He was also ordered to surrender his passport and the original title deed of another property in his name. It should be noted that this is the same title that Byaruhanga transferred to his names meaning that he still presented a fake title .

Byaruhanga was also blocked from traveling outside Uganda without court permission.

He was further blocked from selling, transferring, mortgaging or otherwise dealing with the disputed 849 hectares until the case ends.

He was ordered to attend every court session and no contact with prosecution witnesses, directly or through anyone else.

The magistrate warned Byaruhanga that breaching these terms could lead to bail being cancelled and the cash and sureties’ bonds being forfeited.

The five sureties each bonded at Shs50 million non-cash.

Court also ordered him to appear again in court on November 4th 2026 alongside lawyer Agaba Maguru and Henry Hapa Nganwa.

Prosecutors say that between August 25 and 30, 2025, Byaruhanga and others still at large made or circulated fake company resolutions appointing Maguru a director of Garuga Properties, Kinkizi Development Company Limited and Incafex.

They are also accused of falsifying company forms to show that Dr Garuga and the late Professor Emmanuel Mutebile Tumusiime were still Incafex directors after they died.

The aim was to deceive and defraud Matthew Rukikaire, a member and shareholder of Garuga Properties.

Maguru and Nganwa did not appear and the court issued criminal summonses for them to attend on November 4 to take their pleas.