A Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officer and two other men have been charged before the General Court Martial over allegations of defrauding a foreign investor of about Shs13 billion in a purported gold export 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.
According to the Anti-Corruption Unit of State House, the three were arraigned on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, on charges of obtaining money by false pretences and scandalous conduct. They were remanded until November 16, 2026.
The unit said the prosecution arose from allegations that Ntakirwa, with the assistance of Ali and Besigye, presented himself as Gen James and 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, United Arab Emirates, when they had no intention or ability to fulfil the transaction.
The alleged fraud occurred on September 22, 2025, at the offices of Duck Hunter Security Company Limited in Muyenga, Makindye Division, Kampala, according to the Anti-Corruption Unit.
Investigators allege that the suspects obtained US$2.4 million, equivalent to approximately Shs13 billion, from Elsawi as payment for the purported gold consignment.
The unit further alleges that on September 29, 2025, the suspects obtained another US$120,000, worth more than Shs500 million, from the investor by claiming that the money was intended for payment to the Commissioner General of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).
The allegations against the accused have not been proved in court.
UPDF officer faces additional scrutiny
Ntakirwa is identified in the statement as a UPDF officer attached to the Directorate of Operations under the Land Forces.
The Anti-Corruption Unit said the alleged conduct contravened the standards expected of members of the Defence Forces.
The three suspects were charged following a joint operation involving the Anti-Corruption Unit, the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
The authorities also said other suspects connected to the alleged scheme remained at large.
The case adds to concerns over fraudulent investment and gold transactions in which individuals allegedly claim to have access to valuable minerals or official channels in exchange for large advance payments.
The accused remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a competent court.
