By Editorial Gano Mazima
Defied by looming clean slate evidence against her person Entebbe Chief Magistrate, Stella Maris Amabilis, on Wednesday morning officially recused herself from presiding over the high-profile land fraud case 225 of 2023 involving Mohammad Kamoga, the magnet of Kamoga Consultants, that is pending hearing and determination.
Prior to her decision, the proceedings of the matter that had earlier been set for 9am, were further pushed to 10:00 am after the both teams had been informed that the magistrate had first sought medical treatment from her physicians.
At about 10:22am, proceedings of the matter commenced in with the prosecution team affirming that they were ready with witnesses to proceed with the case.
In a flash of a second Kamoga’s legal team headed by Brian Tindyebwa, definably with somber command belted out an unusual objection, arguing that his client did not feel comfortable with Magistrate Amabilis overseeing the matter. He requested that the case be reallocated to another magistrate.
The magistrate who seemed to be in shock of the revelation but candid on its reality , implication and reflection, with the assembly of both the media party and spectators prematurely put the matter on hold and summoned both the defense and persecution teams to her chambers for further deliberations .
Whilst in the chambers, the media party including this reporter too on a door pin key hole positions in which they could hear what going on.
During this time both the magistrate who was clad in a greenish dress full with her legal regalia was visibly penciled by the heat of the moment and one could notice pence’s of sweat while the man in the storm Hajji Kamoga clad in a bluish suit addressed that matter by stating that he had received a call from her about the matter on 22 September 2024 .
In an aura to downplay the accusation , Kamoga and his legal team then dropped the jaw breaking further evidence that she had exchanged personal WhatsApp messages with the magistrate On 22.September 2024 at 2:14pm using number 0772507133 registered in the names of Stella Maris Amabilis whilst discussing the very case she was handling.
For the record, Kamoga, argued that he had earlier obtained a court order from the High Court
Criminal division before Justice Muwata staying proceedings in Entebbe but the same magistrate declined to effect the same.
Kamoga, also added that he had sought redress from the Judicial Service Commission over the magistrates violation of the court order following she requested he complainant to drop the petition to naught whence the animosity towards his person.
Lost in the wilderness of blunt truth, the magistrate sensing that Kamoga wouldn’t relent , resolved that she would give her final decision in later on in court.
when court resumed the magistrate stated that “I have no interest in this matter. But rather than allow my name and integrity to be tarnished—especially given that the accused has previously filed a complaint against me with the Judicial Service Commission—I hereby withdraw from handling this case,”
The case file has thus been forwarded to Grade One Magistrate Edgar Tusiime Tibayeita, and the hearing is scheduled to resume on July 16, 2025.
Kamoga is facing multiple charges including forgery, obtaining registration by false pretenses, uttering false documents, unlawful eviction, and malicious damage to property. The charges stem from the alleged fraudulent acquisition of over 200 acres of land in Garuga-Bukaya, Entebbe, Wakiso District. Prosecutors claim he used forged land transfer forms bearing the signature of businessman Peter Bibangamba to unlawfully transfer land ownership into his own name.
Kamoga appeared in court just a day after failing to stop his prosecution. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court dismissed his application for an interim order to halt the trial, citing a pending appeal.
In her ruling, Justice Monica Mugenyi stated that justice would be better served by a swift prosecution of the criminal case, which could help clarify issues related to the pending civil matter.
“It has not been established before me that the applicant (Kamoga) would not undergo a fair trial or that the integrity of the criminal justice system would be compromised by his prosecution,” Justice Mugenyi ruled.
“The criminal proceedings offer the accused an opportunity to rebut the allegations, including proving that the disputed land transfer forms were genuinely signed by the complainant.
It must be recalled that Kamoga, opened a suit against Peter Babingamba vide 516 of 2021 at the Land Division in Kampala that is pending determination.
It should be noted that the same Peter Bibangamba, facing an appeal 225 of 2025 in which he is being accused of aquiring the same land falsely at Entebbe court.
Having made his name through several business interests including Kamoga consultants , it should be noted that he now holds a bachelors degree in law and is also pursuing a masters .
