Two city lawyers have been remanded to Luzira Prison after appearing in court over the alleged theft of Shs 700 million, money investigators say was fraudulently transferred through a bank transaction involving a Belgian national.
According to the charge sheet dated February 19, 2026, referenced as CPS KLA CRB 1008/2025, the accused are Patience Audrey Muhindo, 29, and Stuart Kasingye, 35, both practising advocates based in Kampala and its metropolitan areas.
The charge sheet states that “Muhindo Patience Audrey and Kasingye Stuart, together with others still at large, on the 23rd day of November 2024 at Muyenga in the Kampala District, stole UGX 700,000,000 (Seven Hundred Million Shillings only), the property of Rukia Kawere Mbawadde.”
Court documents further indicate that the two face a second count of conspiracy to commit a felony, with prosecutors alleging that “the accused persons conspired to commit a felony to wit theft of money UGX 700,000,000.” The charges are brought under Sections 236 and 237, and Section 363 of the Penal Code Act.
The pair last week appeared before Makindye Magistrate’s Court, where they denied the charges before being remanded. They are linked to the law firms Angualia Busiku & Co. Advocates and Emet Advocates.
Investigators allege that the disputed funds were transferred via an Absa Bank transaction from the account of Schelf Hout Joris, a 67-year-old Belgian national and oil and gas consultant, into an account allegedly associated with Muhindo. The transaction reportedly triggered a wider criminal probe registered under KMP/GEF/136/2025.
A report by the Uganda Police Force Professional Standards Unit (PSU) further alleges that on February 13, 2025, Muhindo—accompanied by unidentified security operatives—caused the arrest of Schelf Hout Joris at a bar in Muyenga on allegations related to homosexuality. He was reportedly detained at Muyenga Police Station.
Investigators claim that following his release, the Belgian national was threatened and warned to leave Uganda or face prosecution. He is said to have left the country shortly thereafter, returning months later upon the advice of his lover, Rukia Kawere Mbawadde, to formally lodge complaints with authorities.
The accused lawyers have denied all allegations.
They are expected to return to court on Friday, February 27, 2026.
