By Editorial Ganomazima
Entebbe Chief Magistrates court On 9th July 2025, was thrown into shock and awe as the Entebbe Chief Magistrate, Stella Maris Amabilis, officially recused herself from presiding over a high-profile land fraud case 835 / 836 of 2023 involving Mohammadi Kamoga, the magnet of Kamoga Consultants, that is pending hearing and determination , citing alleged conflict of interest by the defense lawyers Mr. Brain Tindyebwa , Mr. Alex Kamukama and the accused.
In the land mark decision made by the magistrate today we bring you the excerpts from what led to her honorable decision on that day.
With proceedings of the matter set to start at 9am with no sight of Ms. Stella Maris Amabilis the presiding magistrate , a call was made by Noah Kojjo on ( 0701444737) through to the magistrate on 0772507133, at 9:32 am.
Kojjo on phone ; My Lord the lawyers are here waiting , even Kamoga and his lawyers are here.
Stella Maris; Let them enter in the open court we are going to proceed.
At about 10:00 am the magistrate finally appeared and the court went into session with the clerk Aisha calling the first file 835/836 2023 Ug vs Kamoga Mohammadi, Kamga immediately enter the dock as is standard court procedure.
State; We are ready to proceed , this matter is coming up for hearing .State is ready to proceed.
Stella maris ; Kamoga how are you ?
Kamoga; I am fine.
Stella Maris; ( armed with the charge sheet ) what language do you know well English or Luganda ?
Kamoga; Both
Stella Maris; No choose one.
Kamoga; Luganda
Clerk Aisha starts reading the contents in the charge sheet but is cut short by Kamoga’s lawyer Tindyebwa.
Tindyebwa; My lor I have instructions from my client to ask you to recuse from this case because he understands you are biased
Stella Maris; What are you talking about?
Tindyebwa; We are here with instructions for you to recuse from this case because you are biased that on 22nd September 2024 you called our client from 0772507133 about the same.
This prompts the magistrate to pause the open court proceedings and directs that the State, Clerk, Accused and his lawyers retire to her chambers to deliberate on the allegations being levied against her person.
THE CHAMBERS DOOR PIN HOLE
Tindyebwa; ( continues) On 22nd September 2024, you called our client Kamoga on his mobile number 0700171673 about the same file and requested him to withdraw a case against you at the Judicial Service Commission, that you also tole him that this was going to jeopadize your chance of becoming a judge. You threatened our client into withdrawing the charge against you . So for that purpose your not fit to be in this case, is it true that you called him and even whatassped him about the same.
Stella Maris; Yes it is true I called him after I got a call from the Judicial Service to and testify. That s why I called him to withdraw the complaint.
Tindyebwa; Are you aware that what you did is not allowed in law ?
Stella Maris; When the Judicial Service Commission issue came up and told me they want me to make a response, I had to call him because he is the complainant. I don’t have any problem with Kamoga.
In the heat of the moment Kamoga interjects;
Kamoga; Am I allowed to speak ?
Stella Maris; Yes you can speak.
Kamoga; My Lord You have a problem with me .
Stella Maris ; How?
Kamoga; I remember that when I appeared on 26th April 2025 before you on this same case which came for mention, your attitude showed that you have a problem with me. Remember very well, the state was not around and thus the matter came up for adjournment but you instead decided to proceed without the state which is not accepted in law.
Stella Maris’ What did I do?
Kamoga; You called me to the dock and also called the complainant to the witness’ box and you proceed to say that he should start on 9th July 2025, which in law is illegal because state was around and that did make a disclosure about the case and me. which showed me that your intension was not good.
Stella Maris; What do you want me to do?
Kamoga; I want you to recuse from my case.
Counsel Tomusange interjects; My lord these people are here to delay the case.
Tindyebwa; You are not allowed to submit this case is about the judge Amabilisi and Kamoga Muhammadi.
Stella Maris; Allow him to speak
Alex Kamukama; He is not allowed to speak at this point because he is just watching unless you are saying that he is your lawyer right now.
Kamoga; When you yourself, your not the one who called me. I have never communicated with you, My communication is between me and Amabilis. I want you to recuse. I want an answer from you now.
Stella MARIS; I don’t have a problem with Kamoga even Aisha is aware .
Kamoga; No she is not the one who called me. The case is between me and you , you are the one who called me ordering me to withdraw my petition against you to the Judicial service commission not Aisha.
I have no problem with aisha. The communication was between me and you , I have evidence on my WhatsApp giving me the format to use for my withdraw note. I want justice.
Stella Maris ; I don’t have any interest in your case , I can even recuse from this file.
Kamoga; Please do.
Stella Maris ; Kamoga say the truth, did you really go to Mecca ?
Kamoga; yes i went to mecca.
Stella Maris; Now I am withdrawing from your case and make sure that you don’t come back to my office again. I want you all to walk out of my office . I want us to go to the open court. GET OOOOOOOUUUUTTTTTTT
Kamukama; You don’t have a right to chase us like that, you are a judicial officer, this is not private property ( while walking out )
Stella Marris; Jots on paper briefly “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 16th July 2025
