By Mulengera Reporters
Hon. Emmanuel Omoding Okabe, the Member of Parliament for Serere County, has dismissed reports linking him to an ongoing debt recovery dispute, describing the allegations as “malicious, unfounded, and ill-intentioned.”
The response follows reports that businessman James Masaba had filed a suit before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Mbale seeking recovery of Shs13 million, which he alleges was advanced to the legislator as a private loan in December 2025.
According to court documents, Masaba claims that Omoding requested a “friendly loan” of Shs13 million and agreed to repay it within one month. The plaintiff alleges that the MP issued a post-dated cheque as security for the debt, but the cheque was later dishonoured when presented for payment. The businessman is seeking recovery of the principal amount, interest, and legal costs.
The suit was reportedly filed under Uganda’s summary procedure for debt recovery cases. Court documents indicate that a demand notice was issued to Omoding before legal proceedings commenced.
However, in a statement issued in response to the reports, Omoding rejected suggestions that he is facing an unresolved debt dispute.
“I have seen the story circulating online alleging that I am facing court action over unpaid debt. Let me be clear: these are ill-intentioned, malicious, and unfounded allegations designed to tarnish my name and distract from the work I am doing for the people both in political and religious sects,” Omoding said.
The legislator further stated that the amount in question was settled some time ago and that the matter was amicably handled outside court.
“The small amount in question was cleared some time back and the matter was amicably handled out of court to the satisfaction of both parties. There is therefore no pending debt or legal dispute as being portrayed that I am aware of,” he added.
Omoding also cautioned against what he described as the public sensationalisation of private financial matters, urging lenders and the public to respect confidentiality and dignity when pursuing financial recovery.
“I wish to advise lenders and the public that financial recovery is a process. Let us not weaponize people’s statuses and positions. Respect, dignity, and confidentiality should guide such engagements, not sensationalism,” the statement reads.
Understandably, the case had attracted public interest because of Omoding’s dual role as an elected leader and Director of Impact Ministries in Mbale. As of publication, there was no public response from Masaba or his lawyers to Omoding’s statement that the matter had been settled out of court. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
