Businessman Rugiirwa Katatumba has found himself at the center of controversy for allegedly spreading false information regarding his ongoing criminal prosecution.
Rugiirwa, who has been embroiled in legal battles, falsely claimed that his case was a direct confrontation between him and renowned city tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia.
Last week Rugiirwa Katatumba was seen arriving at Buganda Road Court, where his case was being heard.
The prosecution contends that between September and November 2019, Katatumba obtained a sum of UGX 120 million from Prime Finance Company Limited, a financial institution located within Crane Chambers in Kampala. Rugiirwa Katatumba had promised to repay the loan with interest, but instead, he allegedly issued several cheques that bounced, leading to his failure to service the loan.
The government, acting as the plaintiff in this case, brought charges against Rugiirwa Katatumba for the criminal offense of issuing false cheques, a serious matter under Ugandan law.
Despite the clear charges against him, Rugiirwa has taken to social media and other platforms to suggest that the legal proceedings were a battle between him and Sudhir Ruparelia, one of Uganda’s wealthiest and most influential businessmen. This claim has been widely criticized as misleading, with many pointing out that the government, not Ruparelia, is the complainant in the case.
Legal experts have also weighed in, criticizing Rugiirwa’s attempt to drag Ruparelia’s name into the matter.
One such critic, who preferred to remain anonymous, remarked, “It is misleading information that Rugiirwa Katatumba defeated Sudhir Ruparelia in court, yet it is public knowledge that the government sued Rugiirwa in court. The Magistrate erred; she was totally out of order as she ruled in favor of someone who clearly misrepresented the facts.”
Following the court ruling in July, Rugiirwa Katatumba has continued to assert his narrative, but the backlash has been swift. The public and legal community alike are questioning the ethics of his actions, with many suggesting that his claims are an attempt to deflect attention from his legal troubles.
