WANDEGEYA, KAMPALA – Two alleged fraudsters have been remanded by the Anti-Corruption Court in Wandegeya on charges including money laundering, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery, uttering false documents, personation, and conspiracy to defraud, involving USD 257,896.5 (approximately UGX 1 billion).
The accused, Ssekidde Godfrey Lubowa and Ibona Joseph, were arraigned before the court following a joint operation by the Anti-Corruption Coalition,the Criminal Investigations Directorate and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
According to prosecution, between September 2022 and May 2023 in Kampala City, the accused—along with other accomplices still at large—obtained the substantial sum from Namibian-based investors, Etosha Defensive Systems Pty Ltd and Penda Enterprises CC, with the express intent to defraud.
The money was channeled through a law firm’s bank account under the false claim that the accused would secure a lucrative government contract to supply army uniforms, boots, sleeping bags, and mosquito nets.
Court heard that Lubowa and Ibona further misrepresented that the funds were required for fees, disbursements, and bid security payments to facilitate the registration of a local company and eventual procurement of the contract from the Office of the President.
Of particular note, Ssekidde Godfrey Lubowa has been on remand separately for personating a Major General attached to the Office of the President—a false identity he allegedly leveraged to lend credibility to the fraudulent supply scheme.
The investors, based in Namibia, were led to believe they were partnering with a well-connected local agent who could unlock a high-value military tender. Instead, their funds were diverted and laundered through a legal firm’s account.
The court heard that the scheme involved multiple forged documents and uttering of false instruments to sustain the illusion of an active procurement process within Uganda’s presidency.
The presiding magistrate ruled that the accused be remanded until 19th May 2026, as investigations continue and authorities pursue the remaining suspects still at large.
The case highlights growing multi-agency coordination in Uganda’s fight against high-value economic and corruption-related crimes, particularly those targeting foreign investors.
