A Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) major and two civilians have been arraigned before the General Court Martial over allegations of defrauding an investor of $2.4 million (about Shs13 billion) in a purported gold deal.
The suspects are Major Nicholas Ntakirwa, also known as Gen James, Mohammed Ali, a director at Duck Hunter Security Company Limited, and businessman Trevor Besigye.
The three were charged with obtaining money by false pretences and scandalous conduct, according to the Anti-Corruption Unit of State House, which worked with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in the investigation.
They were remanded until November 16, 2026.
Prosecution alleges that in September 2025, Ntakirwa, who is attached to the Directorate of Operations under the UPDF Land Forces, presented himself as Gen James and, together with Ali and Besigye, obtained money from Gafar Ibrahim Mohammed Elsawi, an investor associated with MAPSCO General Trading LLC.
The suspects allegedly claimed they were selling and exporting 30 kilogrammes of gold to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, yet they had no intention of fulfilling the transaction.
According to the allegations, the first transaction took place on September 22, 2025, at the offices of Duck Hunter Security Company Limited in Muyenga, Makindye Division, Kampala, where the investor allegedly handed over $2.4 million, equivalent to approximately Shs13 billion.
The prosecution further alleges that on September 29, 2025, the suspects obtained an additional $120,000, worth more than Shs500 million, from the same investor.
The money was allegedly obtained under the pretext that it would be paid to the Commissioner General of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), a claim the prosecution says was false.
The case also involves other suspects who are still at large, according to the allegations.
Ntakirwa faces additional disciplinary implications as a serving military officer, with the Anti-Corruption Unit stating that his alleged conduct was contrary to the morality, order and expectations of the UPDF Code of Conduct for the Defence Forces.
