The first and key witness in the case against Ken Nyombi, a 38-year-old man accused of impersonating a medical professional, was cross-examined at Buganda Road Magistrates Court.
Innocent Ssemanda, who is also the complainant, testified that he first encountered Nyombi in 2015 while applying for a job at Kabowa Health Centre.
He revealed that Nyombi was responsible for receiving job applications, which may have given him access to his documents.
During cross-examination, defence lawyer Agnes Najjemba challenged Ssemanda’s claims. She questioned whether he believed he was the only medical professional named Innocent Ssemanda and whether he held a Master’s degree in Epidemiology—a qualification the defence claimed Nyombi also possessed.
The case gained national attention after an NBS Investigates report in November 2024 exposed Nyombi’s alleged impersonation.
Dubbed "Ssemanda the 2nd," he has been in detention since November 2024, facing charges of defrauding patients and posing a serious risk to public health.
The state alleges that Nyombi forged a national ID in the name of Innocent Ssemanda in 2015, falsely claiming it was issued by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA).
He is also accused of forging a medical degree certificate, allegedly from Makerere University, along with several other documents, including a letter of expression of interest for an epidemiologist position at the Ministry of Health, a curriculum vitae, and an employment contract.
The NBS Investigates report revealed that Nyombi deceived several patients who trusted him for medical care, believing they were being treated by a qualified professional.
At the conclusion of the cross-examination, the defence team requested the court to reconsider Nyombi’s bail application, citing his deteriorating health.
However, Principal Grade One Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiko declined the request, stating that Nyombi lacked a valid National Identity Card, and the passport he presented had expired. Additionally, some of his sureties failed to confirm his place of residence.
“You may find that if you go to Internal Affairs, he was issued a new passport, and in court, he is presenting the old one. You give him bail, and he vanishes thereafter,” Magistrate Nankya remarked.