7 Ugandans Arrested In Kampala For ‘Milking’ $70,000 From Nigerian MP In Fake Gold Deal

By Our Reporter

The State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU), working in close coordination with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), has arrested seven individuals accused of orchestrating a fraudulent gold deal that defrauded a Nigerian businessman Mark Gbillah of USD 70,000.

Gbillah is the former House of Reps member for Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency of Benue State.

The arrests were announced yesterday at a press briefing held at the Unit’s offices in the Parliamentary Building. According to Senior Unit Officer Mr. Bamwiine Muhorozi, the suspects tricked Mr. Gbillah into believing they could supply him with seven kilograms of gold through two companies — Legacy Refinery Limited and Emerod Agency Limited — neither of which had any gold to sell.

The suspects in custody are:

1. Paluku Kisasi – Congolese, alleged gold seller.
2. Safari Akonkwa – Congolese, alleged clearing agent for Legacy Refinery Company.
3. Isaac Mpende – Congolese, alleged agent at Legacy Refinery Company Limited.
4. Abdul Madjid Kahirima – Ugandan, alleged gold smelter.
5. Mabwongo Prince – Congolese, alleged gold seller from Congo.
6. Kajjubi Tevin Kyome – Ugandan, representative of Emerod Co. Ltd.
7. Tibasiima Barbra, alias Katushabe Sharon – Ugandan, Secretary of Emerod Co. Ltd.

Mr. Bamwiine revealed that the sting operation was set in motion after Mr. Gbillah swiftly reported the fraud attempt. Investigators set up a controlled meeting with the suspects, arresting them before they could demand more money.

A subsequent search at the suspects’ rented premises in Muyenga uncovered approximately 150 kilograms of counterfeit gold bars and imitation nuggets, believed to have been used to dupe unsuspecting investors.

“This is not the first gold scam we’ve stopped, but it is one of the most significant because we caught the perpetrators red-handed,” Mr. Bamwiine said. “We urge the public and investors to verify all transactions with the relevant authorities and report any suspicious dealings immediately.”

The suspects are currently in custody and will face charges in court. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to cracking down on such scams, which have tarnished Uganda’s reputation in the international gold trade.