Foreign investors were conned of Shs1bn in a fake UPDF uniforms deal, it has emerged. Two Ugandans said to be high level fraudsters. The duo are accused of fleecing foreign investors of USD 257,000 (nearly Shs1bn) on promises of helping them get a juicy contract to supply the UPDF uniforms.
In the same fraudulent military supply contract scheme, the investors were promised contracts to supply boots, sleeping bags, and mosquito nets to the national army.
Now the two alleged fraudsters have been arrested, arraigned in the Anti-Corruption Court and remanded over laundering money.
The operation to investigate and arrest the suspects involved the Criminal Investigations Directorate of the Uganda Police Force, the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU).
The suspected fraudsters have been identified as Godfrey Ssekidde Lubowa and Joseph Ibona who appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court in Wandegeya on charges of money laundering, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery, uttering false documents, personation, and conspiracy to defraud.
Prosecution alleges that the accused and others still at large, on several occasions between September 2022 and May 2023, while in Kampala City, obtained USD 257,896.5 approximately Shs1bn from Namibian based investors Etosha Defensive Systems Pty Ltd and Penda Enterprises CC with intent to defraud.
“The money was channelled through a law firm’s bank account under the false claim that they would secure a government contract to supply army uniforms, boots, sleeping bags, and mosquito nets,” State House Anti-Corruption Unit said in a statement.
“They further allegedly misrepresented that the funds were required for fees, disbursements, and bid security payments to facilitate the registration of a local company and secure the contract from the Office of the President.”
Ssekidde, the unit further noted, has been on remand for personating as a Maj General attached to the Office of the President.
Ssekidde and Ibona have been remanded until May 19, 2026.
Weeks ago, State House officials arrested government officials who had been selling government jobs, as reported Here.
