Two suspected fraudsters have been remanded to prison over their alleged role in a sophisticated scheme that defrauded foreign investors of more than Shs1 billion ($257,896.5) under the guise of securing a military supply contract in Uganda.
The suspects, identified as Ssekidde Godfrey Lubowa and Ibona Joseph, were on Tuesday, 5, arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court in Wandegeya by the State, following a joint investigation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the Criminal Investigations Directorate, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Prosecution told the court that the duo, together with others still at large, face multiple charges, including money laundering, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery, uttering false documents, personation, and conspiracy to defraud.
“It is alleged that between September 2022 and May 2023, in Kampala City, the accused and others still at large devised a scheme through which they fraudulently obtained approximately $257,896.5 (about Shs1 billion) from foreign investors,” the prosecution stated.
Court heard that the victims, Etosha Defensive Systems Pty Ltd and Penda Enterprises CC, both based in Namibia, were convinced to release the funds under the false promise of securing a lucrative government contract.
“The accused allegedly misrepresented to the investors that they were in a position to secure a government contract to supply army uniforms, boots, sleeping bags, and mosquito nets,” the prosecution added.
According to investigators, the suspects reportedly channeled the money through a law firm’s bank account to create an appearance of legitimacy, claiming the funds were meant to cover fees, disbursements and bid security payments.
“They further falsely claimed that the payments were necessary to facilitate the registration of a local company and secure approvals from the Office of the President,” prosecution submitted.
The court did not allow the accused to take a plea at this stage and ordered that they be remanded as investigations continue and efforts to apprehend their alleged accomplices intensify.
Ssekidde and Ibona were remanded until May 19, 2026.
