The State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU), in partnership with Uganda’s Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), has arrested seven people accused of defrauding a Nigerian businessman of $70,000 in a fake gold deal.
At a press briefing at the Parliamentary Building, Senior Officer Bamwiine Muhorozi said the suspects deceived Mark Gbillah into believing they could supply him with seven kilograms of gold through their companies, Legacy Refinery Limited and Emerod Agency Limited. Investigations later revealed that neither firm possessed any gold.
The arrested suspects include Paluku Kisasi, Safari Akonkwa, and Isaac Mpende (all Congolese); Abdul Madjid Kahirima and Kajjubi Tevin Kyome (Ugandans); Mabwongo Prince (Congolese); and Tibasiima Barbra, also known as Katushabe Sharon (Ugandan). They allegedly acted as gold sellers, clearing agents, company representatives, and a secretary to carry out the scheme.
Bamwiine explained that Gbillah’s prompt report enabled the Unit to set up a controlled meeting with the fraudsters, leading to their arrest before they could demand further payments. A search of their rented property in Muyenga, Kampala, uncovered 150 kilograms of fake gold bars and imitation nuggets allegedly used to dupe other potential victims.
He urged investors to verify business dealings with the relevant authorities and to report suspicious activities promptly. The suspects are expected to appear in court in the coming days.