Kampala, Uganda — Two men accused of orchestrating a sophisticated fraud involving foreign investors have been remanded to prison by the Anti-Corruption Court in Wandegeya over allegations of money laundering and related offences.
The suspects, identified as Ssekidde Godfrey Lubowa and Ibona Joseph, were arraigned following joint investigations by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the Criminal Investigations Directorate, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Prosecution alleges that the duo, together with others still at large, defrauded Namibian-based companies — Etosha Defensive Systems Pty Ltd and Penda Enterprises CC — of USD 257,896.5 (approximately UGX 1 billion) between September 2022 and May 2023.
Court documents indicate that the accused falsely claimed they would secure a government contract to supply military items including uniforms, boots, sleeping bags, and mosquito nets. The funds were reportedly channelled through a law firm’s bank account under the pretext of facilitating registration, bid security, and other contractual requirements.
Investigators further allege that the suspects forged documents and misrepresented themselves as individuals with connections to the Office of the President to gain the confidence of the investors.
In a separate but related charge, Ssekidde is accused of personating a Major General purportedly attached to the Office of the President, a claim authorities say was used to lend credibility to the scheme.
The two face multiple charges including money laundering, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery, uttering false documents, personation, and conspiracy to defraud.
They have been remanded until May 19, 2026, as investigations continue and efforts intensify to apprehend other suspects believed to be part of the scheme.
