A Kampala-based businessman has been remanded to prison over allegations of defrauding foreign investors in a fraudulent government project deal valued at more than Shs1.1 billion.
The suspect, Gilbert Tumwebaze Bafanabyo, also known as Albert, was on Friday arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court on charges of obtaining money by false pretence, money laundering, and impersonation.
Court proceedings heard that Tumwebaze allegedly obtained Shs1.1 billion (approximately USD 286,910) from investors after falsely claiming he had secured a government contract.
According to the prosecution, the accused posed as “Albert,” a manager at Sky Link International, and convinced Qatar-based investors to remit funds described as performance security fees for the purported project.
The alleged fraud is said to have been carried out between July 2022 and April 2023.
Prosecutors further told court that the scheme was executed within Kampala, with the purported project sites reportedly located in Wakiso, Kasanda, Pader, Garuga, Nampungwe, and Busunju.
Investigators contend that the accused deliberately misrepresented facts to fraudulently obtain money, despite being fully aware that no such government contract or procurement process existed.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit, working in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, informed court that the alleged project—construction of six technical model schools—was entirely fictitious.
Tumwebaze has been remanded until April 17, 2026, as investigations continue and authorities pursue additional suspects who remain at large.
