A Uganda court ruled against David Balondemu for breaking wealth disclosure laws. Balondemu leads the Kampala District Land Board but failed to report his money and property for 2023. The Leadership Code Tribunal ordered him to pay 2.8 million shillings in fines. The court also said he must give his financial information to government inspectors. Officials will hold back his pay until he follows the rules.
Balondemu told the court his job was part-time and unpaid except for meeting fees. He said this meant he did not need to report his wealth like other leaders. His lawyers argued the law should not apply to people with such positions. The court disagreed and said all leaders must report their finances. Judges stated that any payment counts as income that must be declared.
The tribunal gave Balondemu specific penalties for his violations. He must pay 1.2 million shillings for missing deadlines from April to June 2023. He owes another 1.6 million shillings for July and August of that year. The court will not pay his allowances until he submits the required forms. Both sides must cover their legal costs from the case.
Court officials said wealth reports help prevent corruption and build public trust. The ruling shows that Uganda will enforce these laws against all leaders. Balondemu had claimed the case was political because he wants to run for parliament. The tribunal found no evidence to support his accusation.
Balondemu told the court his job was part-time and unpaid except for meeting fees. He said this meant he did not need to report his wealth like other leaders. His lawyers argued the law should not apply to people with such positions. The court disagreed and said all leaders must report their finances. Judges stated that any payment counts as income that must be declared.
The tribunal gave Balondemu specific penalties for his violations. He must pay 1.2 million shillings for missing deadlines from April to June 2023. He owes another 1.6 million shillings for July and August of that year. The court will not pay his allowances until he submits the required forms. Both sides must cover their legal costs from the case.
Court officials said wealth reports help prevent corruption and build public trust. The ruling shows that Uganda will enforce these laws against all leaders. Balondemu had claimed the case was political because he wants to run for parliament. The tribunal found no evidence to support his accusation.
