City Law Firm Angualia, Busiku & Co. Advocates Distances Itself From Lawyers Jailed Over Shs700m Mzungu, Absa Heist
JAILED: Audrey Muhindo (R) and Stuart Kasingye (L)
City law firm Angualia, Busiku & Co. Advocates has rushed to distance itself from two lawyers currently cooling off in Luzira Prison over the sensational alleged theft of Shs700 million from a Belgian national’s Absa Bank account.
In a strongly-worded media statement, the firm dismissed social media and digital reports linking it to the scandal.
The clarification follows explosive reports concerning the arrest and remand of Kampala lawyers Muhindo Patience Audrey and Stuart Kasingye over allegations of orchestrating a sophisticated bank fraud targeting Belgian oil and gas consultant Schelf Hout Joris.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Muhindo Patience Audrey has never been a partner, associate, employee, or member of Angualia, Busiku & Co. Advocates,” the law firm stated.
Management further clarified that Stuart Kasingye left the firm in July 2024, long before the alleged Shs700m scandal erupted.
“Any suggestion that the law firm is connected to the alleged conduct referenced in the publication is therefore inaccurate and misleading,” the statement added.
The law firm thanked its clients and partners for their continued trust while insisting it remains committed to professionalism and integrity despite the swirling scandal.
The clarification comes as shocking details continue emerging from the sensational fraud case involving Muhindo Patience Audrey, 29, described as a lawyer and resident of Sonde Hill View Estate in Mukono Municipality, and Stuart Kasingye, 35, an advocate residing in Namugongo Jjanda, Kira Municipality.
Until July 2024, Stuart Kasingye worked with Angualia, Busiku & Co. Advocates while Muhindo Patience Audrey has also been linked to Emet Advocates based in Kikoni Makerere.
The pair appeared before Makindye Magistrate’s Court where two counts were read to them: theft contrary to Sections 236 and 237 of the Penal Code Act and conspiracy to commit a felony contrary to Section 363 of the same Act.
Prosecution alleges that on November 23, 2024, at Muyenga in Kampala District, the two, together with others still at large, stole Shs700 million belonging to Rukia Kawere Mbawadde.
Court documents further state that the accused allegedly conspired to commit the said theft.
Investigators claim the money was transferred through an Absa Bank Uganda transaction from the account of Schelf Hout Joris, a 67-year-old Belgian national and oil and gas consultant, into an account allegedly linked to Muhindo Patience Audrey.
The alleged fraudulent transaction is said to have triggered a broader criminal inquiry registered under KMP/GEF/136/2025.
Following the Shs700m heist, according to investigations by the Uganda Police Force Professional Standards Unit (PSU), it is alleged that on February 13, 2025, Muhindo Patience Audrey, accompanied by unidentified security operatives, caused the arrest of Schelf Hout Joris at DROP Bar and Restaurant in Muyenga on accusations related to homosexuality.
He was reportedly detained at Muyenga Police Station.
It is further alleged that following his release, Schelf Hout Joris was threatened by the same police officers and lawyers to flee Uganda or else face the full force of authorities since he was allegedly homosexual, a vice not allowed in Uganda and punishable by law.
Terrified by the threats, the Belgian consultant reportedly fled Uganda, only returning months later after being persuaded by his lover Rukia Kawere Mbawadde to formally lodge complaints with relevant authorities.
An explosive internal police investigation later uncovered what investigators described as a sinister scheme involving police officers, lawyers and shadowy security operatives who allegedly framed the Belgian consultant with homosexuality accusations, extorted money from him and forced him into exile.
According to the PSU report, on February 13, 2025, Schelf Hout Joris was seized and driven to Muyenga Police Station where he was accused of “practicing and promoting homosexuality.”
PSU investigators later noted disturbing irregularities.
“Upon inspection of the police records at Muyenga Police Station, it was established that there was no case reported or registered against Schelf Hout Joris and his arrest was not recorded in the station diary or lock-up register,” the report states.
Instead of being placed in a police cell, the Belgian consultant was allegedly confined in the office of the Officer-in-Charge for more than four hours.
The officers said to have handled the matter were ASP Namutebi Madrine, OC Muyenga Police Station, and ASP Turyahikayo Alex, OC Bukasa Police Post.
Investigators say that while he was being held inside the OC’s office, the Belgian national was pressured to pay money to secure his freedom.
“Schelf Hout Joris was deceitfully released on police bond upon extortion of UGX3,000,000, whereby UGX2,000,000 was withdrawn from his bank account using an ATM card and UGX1,000,000 was cash he had on him,” investigators wrote.
The report further alleges that ASP Namutebi Madrine demanded and received another UGX100,000 as “office fee” or “rent.”
Shockingly, investigators say several junior officers witnessed suspicious movements of money inside the office shortly after the Belgian national’s release.
The PSU report further states that after paying the money, Schelf Hout Joris was warned that police would re-arrest and torture him if he remained in Uganda.
“It was established that upon his release, Schelf Hout Joris was unscrupulously duped to leave the country against his will in order to escape the famous brutality of the Uganda Police which was still tracking him,” investigators wrote.
When questioned during the internal investigation, ASP Namutebi Madrine allegedly denied ever interacting with the Belgian national.
But investigators rejected her claims.
“ASP Namutebi Madrine completely denied having interacted with Schelf Hout Joris. Her total denial was a sign of dishonesty as it was rebutted by eyewitness accounts,” the report concluded.
Investigators also questioned why ASP Turyahikayo Alex travelled from Bukasa Police Post to involve himself in a matter outside his jurisdiction.
“It was irregular and perhaps with sinister motives for ASP Turyahikayo Alex to leave his area of operations and unnecessarily get involved in the matter,” investigators wrote.
After reviewing statements, police records and witness accounts, the Professional Standards Unit concluded that the officers’ conduct was irregular and unbecoming of police officers.
The PSU has since recommended disciplinary charges against the officers under the Police Act and also advised that the case file be forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for further legal review.
Meanwhile, Muhindo Patience Audrey and Stuart Kasingye remain on remand at Luzira Prison as investigations continue into what investigators fear could be a wider network of corruption involving lawyers, police officers and shadowy security operatives.
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