SH-ACU busts $416,000 fraud ring
KAMPALA – The State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU), working in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), has successfully arraigned three suspects before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court on multiple charges.
The charges include electronic fraud, obtaining money by false pretenses, uttering false documents, forgery, and conspiracy to commit a felony.
The accused individuals are: Dr. Mulyansaka Charles, also known as Dr. Muo Dickens, who is reportedly the director of Pigeon Growers Uganda Ltd; Drake Twebaze, alias Dr. Karuhanga John, who purported to be a representative of the Ministry of Works and Transport; and Watum Peter, who also claimed to represent the same Ministry.
The prosecution alleges that between June 2023 and July 2025, Dr. Mulyansaka and his co-accused obtained $416,000 USD from Justine Stocks of M/s TMA Africa Limited, a South African investor.
The money was allegedly secured under the false pretense of guaranteeing the investor a contract to supply AdBlue chemicals to the Ministry of Works and Transport and to construct an AdBlue chemical plant in Uganda.
The alleged scheme began in 2023 when Dr. Mulyansaka, using the alias Dr. Muo Dickens, contacted the director of TMA Africa Ltd via WhatsApp, falsely claiming to be a sourcing agent for the Ministry.
The investor was subsequently invited to Uganda for meetings scheduled at private facilities, which the accused falsely presented as the Ministry of Works offices.
During these meetings, Drake Twebaze and Watum Peter were introduced as Ministry representatives. The investor was reportedly informed that securing the contract required establishing a local company, with the accused recommending Bloom Advocates law firm for the process. A total of $416,000 USD was subsequently paid in installments into Bloom Advocates’ accounts.
These funds were allegedly presented as necessary to cover various costs, including prequalification fees, performance security, bank charges, tax certificates, and registration fees.
Dr. Mulyansaka Charles and Watum Peter have been remanded and are scheduled to return to court for mention on July 4th. The proceedings are ongoing.
