Mr. Rugiirwa Katatumba son to former Honorary Counsel of Pakistan, H.E Prof. Boney Mwebesa Katatumba and brother to Angella Katatumba was arrested on charges of “obtaining credit by false pretence” from Prime Finance Ltd, a company owned by Mr. Sudhir and Rajiv Ruperlia. Rugiirwa was even sent to Kitalya Prison over the so-called charges and has been facing these trumped up criminal charges they opened against him at Buganda Road Court for close to four years.
On July 24th 2024 in the presence of Senior State Attorney Shiprah Nidoi and Counsel Julius Turinawe counsel for the accused person Mr. Rugiirwa Katatumba, the Magistrate Her Worship Jalia Bassajjabalaba ruled heavily in Rugiirwa Katatumba’s favour after a spirited legal fight by his said lawyer and made the following orders;
1. Aquiting Rugiirwa Katatumba of all the criminal charges brought against him.
2. Dismissing the Ruparelia’s case and,
3. Ordering Ruparelia’s Prime Finance company to IMMEDIATELY release Rugiirwa’s Mercedes Benz privately plated; “RUGIIRWA” black in colour that they were unlawfully detaining as security for the loan. *(Attached is her Court Order.)*
*Background.*
In 2019 Prime Finance Ltd loaned Rugiirwa 60 million shillings towards the construction of his building; Katatumba Village on Ggaba Road.
Mr. Rugiirwa Katatumba had given the logbook of his Mercedes-Benz S Class with private plates RUGIIRWA which the Ruparelia’s accepted as security to cover his loan plus interest.
Unfortunately, due to a slew of COVID issues worldwide, Rugiirwa delayed to pay his loan but wasn’t worried because, he knew he would definitely pay, late, but pay and most importantly, that, the Ruparelia’s were good friends who would understand or so he thought.
Shockingly, on January 26th 2021 when Mr. Rugiirwa Katatumba had paid 30% of the loan, he found himself arrested and sent to Kitalya Prison for a couple of days, with a criminal case at Nakawa court and later at Buganda Road Court to answer.
Regardless of the Ruperlia’s complete betrayal, Rugiirwa Katatumba cleared the entire 60M loan with Prime Finance, even as the case was being heard, of which Rugiirwa has now won.
Now Mr. Rugiirwa Katatumba through his lawyer Counsel Julius Turinawe of Turinawe and Kamba Advocates is suing the State and the Ruparelia’s for 5 Billion Uganda Shillings for Malicious Prosecution.
