KAMPALA – A man described by authorities as a notorious fraudster has been charged and remanded to prison for allegedly impersonating a senior Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) officer and swindling an investor out of nearly two hundred thousand US dollars.
Ssekidde Lubowa Godfrey was arraigned before the court on Thursday by a joint team comprising the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU), the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
He faces serious charges of Obtaining Money by False Pretences, Forgery, and Personation.
According to the charge sheet, the accused presented himself as Major General Sam Kiwanuka, a high-ranking officer attached to the Office of the President. While posing as the general, he allegedly convinced an investor to pay USD 197,570 (approximately UGX 740 million). The money was purportedly required as "fees" to secure a government contract for the supply of hand hoes and mosquito nets.
Investigations, however, revealed that the promised contract was non-existent. The Anti-Corruption Unit stated that this incident is not isolated.
“Investigations further revealed that Ssekidde has defrauded several other investors of billions of shillings while also personating as a Maj Gen attached to the Office of the President,” read a statement from the authorities.
The prosecution successfully applied for his remand, citing the need for further investigations into his alleged widespread fraudulent activities. Chief Magistrate Irene Nambatya of the Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court presided over the hearing.
The court ordered that Ssekidde Lubowa Godfrey be remanded until January 21, 2026. He is to be held at Kitalya Government Prison until his next court appearance.
This arrest highlights the continued crackdown on individuals who impersonate security personnel to commit fraud, a scheme that erodes public trust and targets unsuspecting businesspeople. The joint operation by SH-ACU, CID, and the ODPP is being hailed as a significant step in combating sophisticated financial crimes and personation within the country.
