Isaac Musumba, the former State Minister for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, has been sent to prison for failing to pay a debt of more than UGX 160 million.

Musumba’s problems began when he took out a loan from businessman Charles Wakwale in 2023, pledging to return it within four days. However, he failed to fulfill, prompting Wakwale to initiate legal action.

The Commercial Court’s decision on Wednesday evening, October 23, 2024, came after numerous warrants were issued for Musumba’s arrest. After Wakwale was forced to initiate commercial litigation against Musumba, Lady Justice Patience Tumusiime Rubagumya decided in Wakwale’s favor, forcing Musumba to reimburse the loaned sum as well as the legal costs spent by Wakwale’s legal team.

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According to Wakwale’s lawyer, Dick Kisira, Musumba has routinely avoided payment dates, claiming that he is out of the country.

Preliminary reports indicate that in an attempt to avoid imprisonment, Musumba came in court with UGX 10 million in cash and requested a 21-day grace period to pay the outstanding balance, which Wakwale opposed for fear that Musumba would evade his obligations as he had done in the past.

Accordingly, the court mandated that Musumba serve six months as a civil prisoner at Luzira Prison unless he settles the outstanding amount.