Shock As Ugandan Conmen Masquerade As Ministry Officials, Swindle Ugx1.6Billion From Investor

By Our Reporter

The State House Anti-Corruption Unit, in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, has arraigned three suspects before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court on multiple counts of fraud and forgery involving a South African investor.

The accused Dr. Mulyansaka Charles, alias Dr. Muo Dickens, alleged director of Pigeon Growers Uganda Ltd.; Drake Twebaze, alias Dr. Karuhanga John; and Watum Peter — face charges of electronic fraud, obtaining money by false pretenses, uttering false documents, forgery, and conspiracy to commit a felony.

According to prosecution, between June 2023 and July 2025, the trio allegedly swindled USD 416,000 (about UGX 1.6 billion) from a South African investor, Mr. Justine Stocks, director of TMA Africa Limited, under the guise of securing him a lucrative contract to supply AdBlue chemicals to Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport and to construct a chemical manufacturing plant.

Investigations reveal that Dr. Mulyansaka, masquerading as Dr. Muo Dickens, contacted the investor via WhatsApp, presenting himself as a sourcing agent acting on behalf of the Ministry of Works. He invited the investor to Uganda for what he claimed would be official meetings.

Once in Kampala, the investor was received and led to private premises falsely presented as Ministry of Works offices. There, he was introduced to Drake Twebaze and Watum Peter, both impersonating Ministry representatives.

The suspects reportedly told the investor that to qualify for the contract, he needed to establish a local company and engaged Bloom Advocates, a law firm they recommended, to facilitate registration and “official” processes.

Through this elaborate ruse, the investor was convinced to transfer $416,000 in several installments into accounts associated with Bloom Advocates, allegedly to cover prequalification fees, performance securities, tax clearances, registration, and other related charges.

The elaborate fraud unraveled after the promised contract failed to materialize, prompting the investor to alert Ugandan authorities.

Dr. Mulyansaka and Watum Peter have since been remanded to Luzira Prison, while Twebaze’s case is still under review. The matter has been adjourned to November 4, 2025, for mention.

Authorities have urged the public and international investors to remain vigilant and verify all government-related business transactions through official channels to avoid falling prey to similar scams.