A shocking tale of alleged banking malpractice has left a single mother, Hamba Coreen, languishing in Luzira Prison for three months without a court appearance.
Her ordeal began when masked men abducted her from a school gate in Entebbe, claiming she owed I&M Bank approximately UGX 100 million.
However, Coreen vehemently denies the debt, insisting she had previously cleared a UGX 60 million loan with Orient Bank in 2013.
“In fact, that when Orient was closing, it called all its clients including Coreen asking her whether they still needed their accounts to continue, so that they could be passed on to the new bank [I&M]. She says before responding she asked them whether she owed the Bank anything, to which the bank assured her that to the best of their knowledge, she had completed her loan. After that assurance Coreen told the to close her account since the Bank itself in which she had built rapport with was closing.” In her narration, Coreen said she got a salary loan from Orient Bank in 2013 amounting to about Ugx60m and cleared it fully in the agreed time.
The bank’s sudden demands and aggressive tactics have raised questions about their practices and the judiciary’s handling of civil cases.
“I was never given a chance to defend myself,” Coreen said. “They just roughed me up, threw me into a car, and took me to court. The judge ordered me to pay or go to jail without even listening to my side of the story.”
Coreen’s imprisonment has taken a devastating toll on her family. Her children, whom she has sole custody of, have been left without their primary caregiver. Her health has also deteriorated due to poor prison conditions.
Through her lawyers, Coreen has filed a notice of motion to seek leave for her defense, citing her constitutional right to a fair hearing. The case remains unresolved, with no hearing date set for her bail application.
As Coreen’s story unfolds, it raises critical questions about the banking sector’s accountability and the protection of citizens’ rights.
We are waiting to hear the side of Bank as they have promised to get back to our reporter.
Banking Nightmare: I&M Bank on The Spot Over Single Mother’s Illegal Arrest
