Seven people, including four Congolese nationals, have been arrested for allegedly defrauding a Nigerian businessman of $70,000 (about Shs249 million) in a fake gold deal, the State House Anti-Corruption Unit has confirmed.
The arrests, carried out in partnership with the Criminal Investigations Directorate, followed a complaint by the victim, identified as Mark Gbillah. According to Bamwiine Muhorozi, a senior officer with the unit, the suspects had promised to sell Gbillah seven kilogrammes of gold. They allegedly used two companies—Legacy Refinery Limited and Emerod Agency Limited—to execute the scam.
Those arrested include Paluku Kisasi, who posed as a gold seller; Safari Akonkwa, who acted as a clearing agent for Legacy Refinery Company; and Isaac Mpende, another agent for the same company. Others are Abdul Madjid Kahirima, a Ugandan who claimed to be a gold smelter; Mabwongo Prince, a Congolese national posing as a gold seller from Congo; Kajjubi Tevin Kyome, a Ugandan representing Emerod Co. Ltd; and Tibasiima Barbra, also known as Katushabe Sharon, a Ugandan and secretary of Emerod Co. Ltd.
Muhorozi explained that after Gbillah reported the scam, a controlled meeting was arranged with the suspects, leading to their capture before they could obtain more money. A search of their rented premises in Muyenga later uncovered about 150 kilogrammes of fake gold bars and imitation gold nuggets.
He noted that while the unit has dealt with similar scams before, this case was significant because the suspects were caught in the act. He urged both the public and potential investors to exercise due diligence when engaging in business transactions and to report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
The suspects are expected to face charges in court.
