Legal woes are deepening for embattled Kawempe North lawyer and recently ousted Member of Parliament, Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola, as he faces serious allegations of fraud and professional misconduct involving over UGX 65 million in disputed legal fees and land sale proceeds.
In a damning letter issued by M/s Tumusiime, Irumba & Co. Advocates, acting on behalf of their client Ms. Immaculate Nakawooya, Nalukoola is accused of withholding UGX 65 million connected to a fraudulent land sale in Lweeza, Lubowa Estate. The contested land, located at Kyadondo Block 269, Plot 750 and measuring approximately 0.28 hectares, was allegedly transferred under deceitful circumstances orchestrated by Nakawooya’s former lawyers Advocates Abdul-Swabur Marzuq and Ocitti Samuel.
According to Nakawooya, the land transaction was executed without her informed consent, based on false legal advice and manipulated documentation. The agreement, which was conditional and never fulfilled, lapsed after a month yet Advocate Marzuq allegedly received UGX 65 million, now a major point of contention.
Nalukoola, who later took over legal representation, is accused of paying himself UGX 65 million in legal fees while failing to complete a single item on the list of agreed legal instructions. “He paid himself but didn’t finish even one task. He’s refused to return a coin from the fraudulent sale. That’s not law; it’s theft in a suit,” Nakawooya remarked.
Her lawyers confirm that out of the total fees paid, only UGX 5 million has been refunded, leaving a balance of UGX 22 million owed to the client. They are demanding that UGX 70 million which includes the disputed UGX 65 million and a separate component of unaccounted funds be returned immediately, or risk a court battle.
“The client never consented to this transaction. The money was neither earned nor justified. Withholding it violates her rights,” reads the letter from M/s Tumusiime, Irumba & Co. Advocates.
This latest scandal comes on the heels of Nalukoola’s dramatic removal from Parliament. The High Court recently nullified his election following a successful petition by political rival Faridah Nambi, who accused him of electoral malpractice.
Now facing mounting legal threats, professional scrutiny, and public criticism, Nalukoola’s fall from grace has intensified calls for greater accountability and ethical reform within Uganda’s legal profession. Our to talk to Nalukoola for a comment by press time futile as he couldn’t answer our repeated calls.
