Gold Scammers Face Justice
KAMPALA. Seven suspects have been arraigned before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court on charges related to a fraudulent gold scheme.
The arrests were a collaborative effort between Uganda’s State House Anti-Graft Unit, the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
Among the accused are four Congolese and three Ugandan nationals. They include Paluku Kisasi and Mabwongo Prince, both identified as purported gold sellers from the Congo, alongside Safari Akonkwa and Isaac Mpende, who allegedly posed as agents for Legacy Refinery Company.
The Ugandan suspects are Abdul Madjid Kahirima, a supposed gold smelter, and Kajjubi Tevin Kyome and Tibasiima Barbra (also known as Katushabe Sharon), who were representatives for Emerod Co. Ltd.
The group is accused of defrauding a Nigerian businessman, Mr. Mark Gbillah, of $70,000 between July and August 2025.
They allegedly promised to supply him with seven kilograms of gold through their companies, Legacy Refinery Limited and Emerod Agency Limited. However, investigators found that the companies had no legitimate gold to sell, and the suspects are believed to have mingled the minerals with the intent to defraud.
The charges against them include obtaining money by false pretenses and operating a refining and smelting business without a license.
All seven have been remanded until their next court appearance on August 19, 2025.
