The State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU) in Uganda, working alongside the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), has arrested seven people accused of swindling a Nigerian businessman out of USD 70,000 in a sophisticated fake gold deal.
The suspects — four Congolese and three Ugandan nationals, allegedly posed as suppliers and agents for two companies, Legacy Refinery Limited and Emerod Agency Limited, convincing Mr. Mark Gbillah that they could deliver seven kilograms of gold. Investigations later revealed that neither company had any genuine gold to supply.
Those arrested have been named as Paluku Kisasi, Safari Akonkwa, Isaac Mpende, Abdul Madjid Kahirima, Mabwongo Prince, Kajjubi Tevin Kyome, and Tibasiima Barbra, alias Katushabe Sharon.
Addressing journalists at the Unit’s offices at the Parliamentary Building in Kampala on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, Senior Officer Mr. Bamwiine Muhorozi said the operation was set in motion after the victim reported the matter.
“We worked with Mr. Gbillah to set up a controlled meeting with the suspects, leading to their arrest before they could solicit more money,” he said.
A search of the suspects’ rented premises in Muyenga uncovered about 150 kilograms of fake gold bars and imitation gold nuggets, allegedly used to lure unsuspecting investors.
The arrests come amid a surge in gold fraud targeting foreign businesspeople.
Earlier this year, a Turkish investor lost Shs 550 million (about USD 150,000) in a similar scam, while in mid-2024 another businessman was defrauded of USD 105,000 in a bogus deal involving 20 kilograms of non-existent gold.
Regional data shows that between early 2021 and March 2022, investors in Uganda and Kenya lost an estimated USD 25 million to gold scams, with some cases involving more than USD 8 million.
Mr. Bamwiine noted that while SH-ACU has intercepted several gold scams in recent years, this case was significant because the suspects were caught in the act.
He urged investors to verify business transactions with the relevant authorities and to promptly report suspicious dealings.
The suspects are expected to be charged in court in the coming days.
