By Our Reporter
In a high-profile crackdown on white-collar crime, Kizito Dalton Lawrence, a Ugandan businessman, has been formally charged and remanded for allegedly orchestrating a sophisticated gold scam that defrauded a foreign investor of over USD 105,000.
The case, brought in collaboration between the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the Criminal Investigations Directorate, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, was heard before the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Grade 1 Magistrates’ Court.
According to the prosecution, between February and June 2024, Kizito, working alongside unidentified accomplices who are still at large, conned an American investor by falsely claiming he could supply 20 kilograms of pure gold. The deal turned out to be entirely fictitious.
Court documents reveal that Kizito allegedly presented forged documentation and posed as a credible gold dealer to lure the investor into the bogus transaction. Once the sum of $105,000 was wired to his account, Kizito and his associates reportedly became evasive, raising suspicion and prompting the victim to file a formal complaint.
Kizito faces two primary charges:
- Obtaining money by false pretense
- Conspiracy to defraud
Both charges carry significant penalties under Ugandan law, including long-term imprisonment. During Thursday’s court appearance, Kizito was remanded to Luzira Prison until July 9, 2025, as investigations continue and efforts to apprehend his co-conspirators intensify.
Anti-Corruption Unit Speaks Out
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit has lauded the arrest as a strong signal to fraudsters operating under the guise of legitimate gold traders.
“This arrest underscores the government’s commitment to safeguarding Uganda’s investment environment and protecting both local and foreign investors from fraud,” the Unit stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Uganda has long grappled with gold-related fraud cases, where unsuspecting investors fall prey to criminal syndicates posing as licensed dealers. The latest prosecution aims to deter future scams and restore confidence in the country’s mineral trade framework.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies are actively pursuing Kizito’s accomplices, who reportedly played key roles in the scam, including posing as customs officials, intermediaries, and gold assayers.