Church Counsellor Remanded For Defrauding Elderly Couple UGX 150m

The Mwanga II Magistrates Court has remanded Paulius Mugambe a Church Counsellor to Luzira Prison on charges of theft of 150 million Shillings from an elderly Couple.

Mugambe aged 71 years old was on Thursday arraigned before the Court presided over by Chief Magistrate George Kunihira and charged with one count of theft.

The Court heard that in  April 2023 at Nabunya Road in Lubaga division, armed with intentions of defrauding 90-year-old Wiro Kyambadde Mande and his 89-year-old wife Francisca Kyambadde, Mugambe stole their 150 million shillings after making empty promises of taking them to Holly places in Rome, Israel and Fatima. 

Court records indicate that  Kyambadde and his wife had known Mugambe as a church Counselor when he had reportedly prayed for them to win a Land case for which they had disagreements with their neighbour.

Records further state that in 2022, the Government compensated the Couple with more than 300 million shillings as part of the land in Kayunga to construct the Isimba Dam.

However, it is alleged that as soon as Mugambe got to know of this compensation, he sought ways to defraud the couple. 

The prosecution contends that Mugambe convinced the couple to travel to the Holy Sea to be blessed by the Pope and also increase their faith as  Christians.

Consequently, the evidence further shows that Kyambadde withdrew all his money from Centenary Bank and gave it to Mugambe for travel arrangements that never materialized. The couple reported the incident to Old Kampala Police, leading to Mugambe's arrest on November 11, 2024.

In court, Mugambe was informed of his right to apply for bail but lacked sufficient sureties. He was accordingly remanded to prison until November 29 to begin his trial.

Sources say that Mugambe has been called to different churches in the country to offer counselling services and to pray for those in need.