City ‘bishop’ convicted, fined Shs3m for fraud
By Betty Ndagire
Posted Thursday, July 5 2012 at 01:00
Posted Thursday, July 5 2012 at 01:00
The leader of Christian Faith Centre Nsambya, ‘Bishop’ Elijah Semugabi, Hamza was on Tuesday afternoon convicted for fraud, obtaining money from his victim after pretending that he would secure a vacancy for their son to study at a university overseas.
While reading out the ruling, Buganda Road Court Grade 1 Magistrate Julius Borore said the sentence was to act as a deterrent to all individuals whose dubious activities, committed for religious purposes, have brought the Christian community into bad repute. “The accused is hereby sentenced as a lesson to those who hide in religion to commit questionable acts,” Mr Borore said.
The convict, who never paid the fine and was taken to Luzira Prison, unsuccessfully pleaded for leniency before court.
His pleas that there are 23 people, among them students in candidate classes, depending on him were not enough to grant him forgiveness.
Prosecution led by State attorney Steven Asaba objected to the appeal for forgiveness, saying Semugabi is a habitual conman who was convicted on similar charges two years ago.
Police
probe Bishop Semugabi
Publish Date: Mar 20, 2007
By Steven Candia and Fortunate
Ahimbisibwe
The Police are investigating a bishop over allegations of conning parents of millions of shillings in fake scholarship schemes.
The Police are investigating a bishop over allegations of conning parents of millions of shillings in fake scholarship schemes.
Bishop Elijah Semugabi Hamza of the Christian Faith Centre Kevina in Makindye Division, Kampala, was arrested last week.
He was released on Saturday on Police bond after recording a statement.
John Bwango, who heads the national fraud squad, yesterday said many complaints raised about Semugabi’s church and his school, Bishop Elijah SS, located in Nsambya.
Bwango explained that over five cases of fraud were being investigated but he declined to give details.
A source, however, said more cases implicating the bishop were coming up.
It is alleged that Semugabi used to approach parents and ask for sh120,000 claiming to have sponsors and schools to take their children.
He also ran adverts on Top Radio about the offer.
It is alleged: He would convince the school administration to accept the children, saying he would pay the fees once the sponsors send the money.
He would deliver the children in a bus and that would be the last the school would see of him.
It is alleged that whenever schools would demand school fees, Semugabi would threaten them with closure.
The Police are also investigating allegations that children under Semugabi’s custody are abused.
'Bishop'
Defrauds 24 Students Over Exams
The New vision , 5 July 2007
http://allafrica.com/stories/200707060061.html
TWENTY-four Senior Four students of a city school may miss their final examinations this year after their school director - a 'bishop' allegedly defrauded them of their registration fees.
Consequently, the 'bishop' also popularly known as Pastor Elijah Semugabi Hamza of the Christian Faith Centre Kevina in Makindye Division has been arrested and detained at Kabalagala Police Station.
