Seven individuals, including four Congolese and three Ugandan nationals, have been remanded to Luzira Prison over a $70,000(approximately shs250 million) gold fraud scheme targeting a Nigerian businessman.
The group appeared before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court, where they were charged with multiple offenses including mingling minerals with intent to defraud, refining and smelting without a license, obtaining money by false pretenses, and conspiracy to commit a felony.
The accused were identified as Paluku Kisasi, a Congolese national and alleged gold seller; Safari Akonkwa, Congolese, and alleged clearing agent for Legacy Refinery Company; Isaac Mpende, Congolese, and alleged agent at Legacy Refinery Company; Abdul Madjid Kahirima, Ugandan, and alleged gold smelter; Mabwongo Prince, Congolese, and alleged gold seller from the Democratic Republic of Congo; Kajjubi Tevin Kyome, Ugandan, and representative of Emerod Co. Ltd.; and Tibasiima Barbra alias Katushabe Sharon, Ugandan, and secretary of Emerod Co. Ltd.
According to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, working with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the fraud occurred between July and August 2025.
The state alleges that the accused lured Nigerian businessman Mark Gbillah with promises of supplying seven kilograms of gold through two companies—Legacy Refinery Limited and Emerod Agency Limited.
The firms had no gold, and the transaction was purely fraudulent.
They are accused of mingling minerals with intent to defraud, carrying out refining without a licence, and obtaining USD 40,000 (approximately Shs142m) by false pretence from three foreign businessmen.
According to the state, the group in in Bukasa-Muyenga mixed zinc, copper, iron, tin, and molybdenum, disguising the mixture as gold bars.
They are also accused of conducting smelting and trading operations at Legacy Refineries in July without a valid mineral processing licence.
It is alleged that on July 22, 2025, the same group fraudulently obtained USD 40,000 from Muhammed Ibrahim Abdulahim, Paul Ashu, and Gbillah Mark Terseer, claiming the money was payment for 4 kilograms of gold to be exported to Dubai.
Prosecution further contends that on August 7, 2025, in Bukasa-Muyenga, the accused mixed base metals disguised as gold and operated without a mineral trading licence.
They allegedly defrauded USD 30,000 on July 15, 2025, claiming the payment was for 3 kilograms of gold destined for Dubai.
They denied the charges.
State prosecutor, Therpista Nam told court investigations into the matter are still ongoing and trial chief magistrate Lonard Tukundane remanded them until August 19, 2025 for mention of the matter.
