Two Ugandan men have been charged before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala over an elaborate fraud scheme that targeted foreign investors with promises of securing a lucrative military supply contract.
According to a statement by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the suspects—Ssekidde Godfrey Lubowa and Ibona Joseph—appeared in court on Monday facing multiple charges, including money laundering, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery, uttering false documents, personation, and conspiracy to defraud.
Prosecution alleges that between September 2022 and May 2023, the duo fraudulently obtained approximately $257,896 (about UGX 1 billion) from Namibia-based companies—Etosha Defensive Systems Pty Ltd and Penda Enterprises CC.
The suspects reportedly posed as well-connected officials capable of securing a contract from the Uganda People’s Defence Force to supply army uniforms, boots, sleeping bags, and mosquito nets.
Investigators say the accused used forged documents and impersonation, at times claiming links to the Office of the President, to convince the investors to wire funds.
The money was then routed through a law firm’s bank account to give the transactions an appearance of legitimacy.
The case is being handled by the Anti-Corruption Court in Wandegeya, where prosecutors outlined how the suspects allegedly demanded payments under the guise of registration fees, bid security, and other administrative costs tied to the purported contract.
Ssekidde, who authorities say had earlier been charged with impersonating a senior military officer, was remanded alongside Ibona until May 19, 2026, as investigations continue and efforts to apprehend other accomplices intensify.
Authorities described Ssekidde as a repeat offender who has previously been linked to similar fraudulent schemes targeting investors from multiple countries, including Kenya, Turkey, Romania, and Israel.
Investigators say his operations often relied on impersonating high-ranking officials to gain trust.
The arrests were carried out jointly by the Criminal Investigations Directorate Uganda and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Uganda, working with the State House Anti-Corruption Unit.
Officials say the crackdown demonstrates Uganda’s commitment to fighting fraud and protecting foreign investors from scams that could undermine confidence in the country’s business environment.