Local businessman and property consultant Muhammadi Kamoga has filed a fresh application at the Magistrates Court in Entebbe, seeking to freeze the ongoing criminal proceedings against him. Kamoga’s move comes as he awaits the outcome of an appeal he recently lodged with the Supreme Court.
Kamoga’s legal team informed the court that they have filed Reference No. 1 of 2025, challenging the decision by Supreme Court Justice Monica Mugenyi. The judge, sitting as a single justice, had previously allowed the criminal case against Kamoga to proceed in the Entebbe Chief Magistrates Court.
“We filed Reference No. 1 of 2025, challenging the Supreme Court judge’s decision that gave this court the green light to continue with the cases. This reference is still pending. We believe proceeding with the criminal cases before the reference is determined will prejudice the accused,” argued Alex Kamukama, one of Kamoga’s lawyers.
The defence also raised objections to an amended charge sheet that added eight new fraud charges against Kamoga.
Opposing the application, State Attorney Ahebwa Paul described it as a deliberate attempt to delay justice.
“Counsel filed this reference only two days ago, seeking to overturn the Supreme Court’s decision. These references and appeals are baseless, frivolous, and meant to stall court proceedings. This is an abuse of court process designed to overturn decisions of both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court,” Ahebwa argued.
After hearing submissions from both sides, trial Magistrate Edgar Tusiime Tibayeita adjourned the matter to August 18, 2025, to deliver a ruling. The magistrate noted that the case file had recently been assigned to him.
Earlier this month, Justice Mugenyi dismissed Kamoga’s earlier application to halt the prosecution pending the appeal, ruling that stopping the trial would not serve the interests of justice.
“It has not been established that the applicant (Kamoga) would be denied a fair trial in Criminal Cases No. 835 & 836 of 2023, nor that the integrity of the criminal justice system would be compromised by proceeding with prosecution,” Justice Mugenyi ruled. “A prompt prosecution could help resolve the matter and support related civil proceedings, rather than jeopardizing his rights.”
Kamoga appeared before Magistrate Tibayeita less than a week after former Chief Magistrate Stella Maris Amabilis recused herself from the case. Kamoga had alleged inappropriate communication with Amabilis via WhatsApp and claimed that she forced him to withdraw a petition against her at the Judicial Service Commission, prompting her withdrawal from the case.
Notably, Kamoga has since petitioned the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), the Chief Registrar, and the Chief Justice regarding the allegations against Stella Maris Amabilis.
