A Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) major and two other men have been remanded until November 16, 2026, over allegations that they defrauded a foreign investor of about Shs13 billion in a fake gold transaction.
The accused are Major Nicholas Ntakirwa, attached to the Directorate of Operations in the UPDF Land Forces; Ali Mohammed, a director of Duck Hunter Security Company Limited; and businessman Trevor Besigye.
The three appeared before the General Court Martial on Tuesday and were charged with obtaining money by false pretences and scandalous conduct.
According to the prosecution, the alleged fraud was carried out in September 2025 after Maj. Ntakirwa allegedly posed as “Gen. James” and, together with Mohammed and Besigye, convinced Gafar Ibrahim Mohammed Elsawi, an investor associated with MAPSCO General Trading LLC, to pay US$2.4 million, about Shs13 billion.
The money was allegedly paid for 30 kilogrammes of gold which the suspects claimed they would sell and export to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Prosecution told the court that the transaction was carried out on September 22, 2025, at the offices of Duck Hunter Security Company Limited in Muyenga, Makindye Division, Kampala.
The suspects are accused of working with other individuals who have not yet been arrested to obtain the money despite allegedly having no gold to supply to the investor.
The prosecution further alleges that the investor was persuaded to pay an additional US$120,000, equivalent to more than Shs500 million, on September 29, 2025.
The accused allegedly told Elsawi that the additional money was needed to make a payment to the Commissioner General of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA). Prosecutors, however, allege that the money was obtained for a different purpose.
Maj. Ntakirwa faces an additional allegation of conduct considered contrary to the morality, order and expectations of the UPDF Code of Conduct for the Defence Forces.
The case followed investigations by the Anti-Corruption Unit, the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
The court remanded all three suspects until November 16, 2026, as investigations continue.
