The State House Anti-Corruption Unit, in coordination with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), has intensified efforts to combat white-collar crime in Uganda by prosecuting two businessmen accused of defrauding an American investor in a fake gold deal.
Mackland Egesa , a Ugandan national, appeared before the KCCA Grade 1 Magistrates’ Court on Friday, July 18, 2025, facing charges of obtaining money by false pretense and conspiracy to defraud. The charges stem from a sophisticated scam in which Egesa and his co-accused, Dalton Kizito, allegedly deceived the investor into paying USD 105,000 for a nonexistent shipment of 20 kilograms of pure gold.
According to court records, the fraud occurred between February and June 2024, with the suspects operating within Uganda. They are accused of creating elaborate business fronts and using forged documents to appear credible and trustworthy. Authorities say the investor was lured into transferring the funds under the belief that a legitimate gold transaction was underway only to discover later that no such gold existed.
The case is being heard in Kampala, where both suspects are currently on remand. Egesa is scheduled to return to court on July 23, 2025, while Dalton, who was arrested and charged earlier, remains in custody.
Investigators revealed that the accused went to great lengths to stage a convincing operation, complete with falsified paperwork and a purported business premise. The victim, an American national, was persuaded to wire a significant sum in anticipation of a gold shipment that never materialized.
This case has renewed public concern over the rise of economic fraud in Uganda, particularly schemes that target international investors. Officials warn that such criminal activities not only damage the country’s global reputation but also threaten investor confidence in Uganda’s emerging mineral and export industries.
An official statement from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) stressed the government’s zero-tolerance approach to fraud, stating:
“Uganda is not a playground for fraudsters. Those who tarnish the country’s investment climate through deception will be held accountable,” the SHACU statement read.
The arrest and prosecution of Egesa and Kizito are part of a broader crackdown on economic crime, spearheaded by the Anti-Corruption Unit since its formation. Authorities say efforts are underway to recover the stolen funds and identify any other individuals involved in the scheme.
As Uganda continues to position itself as a destination for credible and secure investment, the government is reaffirming its commitment to protecting investors and ensuring that economic crimes are met with swift and decisive action.
