Controversial Ugandan socialite Honest Kavuma, popularly known as Champagne Papi, is under investigation after allegedly fleeing Speke Apartments in Kampala without settling outstanding bills totaling $48,000.
According to police reports filed at Jinja Road Police Station under reference number 75/19/10/2021, Kavuma had been a long-term resident at the upscale Speke Apartments since 2018, initially paying for a two-year stay. However, the bill is said to have surged as he routinely ordered premium food and beverages, and demanded luxury services, significantly inflating his charges.
Upon realizing the growing debt, management alleges that Kavuma abruptly vacated the premises without notice or payment, prompting legal action and a police manhunt.
Kavuma, who publicly brands himself as the promoter of Bayern Sports Club Uganda and chairman of the Bayern Munich Fan Club East Africa, is no stranger to controversy. Despite his flamboyant lifestyle, his actual source of income remains unclear.
In 2017, Kavuma was accused of defrauding Nigerian businessman Jay Florin Adedayo, Director of Citi Commodities in Dubai, of over $190 million through a fraudulent transfer. Prior to that, in 2016, he was arrested and remanded to Luzira Prison over allegations of forging a $193 million credit confirmation document from Chase Bank, Kenya.
Court documents at the time indicated he obtained $556,000 (approximately UGX 2.3 billion) from Adedayo under false pretenses. He was later released on bail.
While Kavuma maintains that he is a businessman dealing in stock markets and investment, authorities and multiple victims have linked him to high-level financial scams.
Police are currently intensifying efforts to track him down as investigations continue into his latest case involving the luxury apartment bill.
