The Leadership Tribunal has fined Kampala District Land Board Chairperson, David Balondemu, a total of Shs 2.8 million and ordered the withholding of his allowances over his failure to submit a declaration of income, assets, and liabilities for the year 2023.
The case was brought by the Inspector General of Government (IGG), who accused Balondemu of breaching the Leadership Code by not filing the mandatory declaration by March 2023. At the time, Balondemu was actively serving as chairperson, having been appointed by the Kampala Lord Mayor on September 16, 2020.
Balondemu defended himself, arguing that he was a part-time political appointee who only received sitting allowances ranging from Shs 100,000 to Shs 350,000, and therefore did not fall within the category of officials required to declare assets under the Leadership Code. He further alleged that the application was politically motivated, aimed at tarnishing his reputation ahead of his intended run for Member of Parliament for Luuka Constituency.
However, the Tribunal, chaired by Dr. Roselyn Karugonjo-Segawa, ruled that Balondemu’s role clearly qualifies as one subject to the Leadership Code, and that he had failed to offer a reasonable justification for not complying.
“He is a leader who is subject to the Leadership Code of Conduct and breached the Code when he failed to declare his incomes, assets, and liabilities to the IG. He should do so,” the Tribunal stated.
In its ruling, the Tribunal imposed a Shs 1.2 million fine for failure to declare between April 1 and June 30, 2023, and Shs 800,000 per month for July and August 2023, totaling Shs 2.8 million.
Additionally, it ordered that Balondemu’s allowances be withheld until he submits the required declaration.
