By Swift Reporter
A man accused of orchestrating a sophisticated gold export scam involving USD 150,000 has been remanded to prison following his arraignment before the Makindye Magistrate’s Court.
The suspect, Ssentumbwe James, was presented in court on Thursday by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, working jointly with the Criminal Investigations Directorate and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. He has been remanded until March 6, 2026.
Ssentumbwe faces several charges, including Obtaining Money by False Pretence involving USD 150,000, Carrying Out Refining, Smelting, Processing and Trading in Minerals without a Licence, Conspiracy to Defraud, and Forgery.
Prosecutors allege that in January 2026, at Muyonyo in Makindye Division, Ssentumbwe conspired with Mr. Kibuye Adams Yawe who remains at large to defraud a Malaysian national, Mr. Kon Kin Kheong.
According to investigators, the suspects obtained USD 150,000 from the complainant under the false pretext of facilitating documentation for the export of 50 kilograms of gold to Dubai.
Authorities further claim that the scheme was bolstered by Kibuye’s alleged projection of power and authority. He was reportedly found in possession of a forged State House identity card purporting to identify him as a Political Mobiliser.
Investigators believe the forged credentials were used to gain the victim’s trust and lend credibility to the fraudulent gold transaction.
Investigations remain ongoing, with law enforcement agencies pursuing additional suspects believed to have played a role in the scheme. Particular attention is focused on individuals linked to a company identified as Hey Transporters and Logistics.
Authorities allege that the suspects conducted illegal gold “processing” operations at an unlicensed refinery in Lweza–Lubowa, Wakiso District.
Officials say more arrests are expected as the probe continues, underscoring a broader crackdown on mineral-related fraud and unlicensed gold trade activities in the country.
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