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Lawyers remanded over Fraud Charges

KAMPALA. Two advocates, Mr. Mwanjuzi Bob and Mr. Kalamu Lawrence, Wednesday appeared in court on alleged forgery, conspiracy, and obtaining money by false pretences charges. It follows a joint effort by the State House Anti Corruption unit (SHACU), the Criminal Investigation Department (CID)  and the DPP who collaborated on the arrests. The charges against the advocates stem from an alleged incident on April 20, 2023. Prosecutors claim the duo, with others at large, conspired. Their goal was to allegedly create a fraudulent lease agreement dated April 20, 2023, falsely claiming a lease. It purported to be between SEMA Holding Limited and Ephrata Investment Group Ltd. This claim is was found false. The scheme's alleged motive was clear: obtain UGX 917 million. The target: Kalpana Abe and her company, SEMA Holding Limited. Funds were supposedly for investment. Specifically, in Ephrata Investment […]

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Four Remanded in UGX 17.75 Billion Fraud

Kampala.  Four men have been remanded in a thwarted sophisticated fraud scheme, attempting to swindle a Turkish investor out of approximately UGX 17.75 billion (USD 4.95 million). The arrests, made on July 22, 2025, were the result of a collaborative effort by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU), the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), and the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). The elaborate plot targeted Mr. Furkan Gumran and his company, SIRUS BLUE CHEMICAL MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., with a fabricated contract to supply AD BLUE Solution to Uganda's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. The suspects allegedly posed as a non-existent "Special Contracts Committee" within the Office of the President, assigning themselves various senior roles to lend an air of authenticity to the scam. The purported committee members included Dr. Mulyansaka Charles as Chairman, Mwesigwa Moses as Director […]

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INVESTIGATION: IGG probes top Mpigi school head over misappropriation of funds

KAMPALA: The office of the Inspector General of Government (IGG) is investigating a case involving the headmistress of St Balikuddembe Mitalamaria SSS, Anne Judith Najuuka, for alleged misappropriation the school funds. According to the the public relations manager in the IGG's office Ali Munira, the headteacher reportedly misappropriated a colossal sum of money meant for construction of a computer lab and facilitation of various infrastructures in the school. Gathered reports indicate that Najuuka allegedly connived with her Bursar to divert the funds. Among other cases to investigate include nepotism where she appraises and elevates relatives in the school administration. Calls to Najuuka's known numbers went unanswered at the time of publication. The IGGs report indicates that the information collected from the whistle blower's petition highlights her inconsequential corporation with her staff and board of governments.

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SH-ACU foils $4.95m Scam targeting Turkish investor

KAMPALA. The State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU) has thwarted a $4.95 million scam targeting a Turkish investor, Furkan Gumran. The scam involved a fake Ministry of Energy supply contract for AD Blue solution. Four suspects were arrested at AHA Towers in Kampala: Dr. Mulyansaka Charles, Mwesigwa Moses, Seruma Moses, and Watum Peter. They have been paraded before the press on Tuesday. SH-ACU Deputy Head, Mr. Israel Ochwo, praised Mr. Gumran for seeking clarification before proceeding with transactions. Mr. Ochwo urged foreign investors to verify government contract proposals with SH-ACU or the State House Investors Protection Unit (SH-IPU). He commended Mr. Gumran's prudence, saying it exemplifies how investors should respond to suspicious deals. The SH-ACU is also seeking information on Ssekidde Lubowa Godfrey, a fugitive wanted for defrauding a Kenyan company of $197,670 using forged documents. “SH-ACU is committed to prevented […]

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From Frogs to medicine: Jim Spires’ eulogy for frog hunter doctor.

BY JIM SPIRE SSENTONGO KAMPALA. John was passionately obsessed with medicine. Unlike some of us, he knew what he wanted to become very early in life. In high school, when they started dissecting frogs in Biology, he hunted for frogs everywhere like a madman. In the exercise, which I found awful, he was already seeing himself conducting operations. When he finally became a medic, his practice remained obsessive, yet always with his signature smile. He sought for knowledge endlessly, and quietly. At the time of his death he had just finished a second Masters in Romania, for which he was paying himself. And he was talking of starting another. When he was bored, he would often pull out his iPad, and it is medical stuff you would see him reading or watching off YouTube. Whenever we were together as a […]

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Police officers remanded over gold robbery

KAMPALA. Four police officers from the Flying Squad Unit, Kireka based Police have been remanded to prison over allegations of robbing a businessman of gold valued at over Shs 380 million. The accused officers are Detective Superintendent James Besigye Kiguuya, Detective Corporals Simon Owona, Pracid Mulangira, and Officer Monday Tibaijuka. According to prosecutors, the officers allegedly stole one kilogram of gold worth $105,000 and $1,000 in cash from businessman John Vian Tumukunde on May 9, 2025, at Solent Avenue in Nakawa Division. The suspects reportedly used firearms and other deadly weapons during the robbery, and the prosecution claims they had planned the crime in advance. On Tuesday, the case was mentioned before Grade One Magistrate Frank Namanya, who remanded the officers until July 16, 2025, to allow for further investigations. Prosecution led by Martin Odong Awiny requested an extension due […]

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Former Rakai District Service Commission Chairperson Sentenced for Corruption

KAMPALA. The Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court in Uganda has convicted and sentenced Mpuga David, the former Chairperson of the Rakai District Service Commission, to five years imprisonment or a fine of UGX 7.2 million.  Mpuga was found guilty of extorting and demanding bribes from job applicants in the district, specifically soliciting UGX 20 million from a candidate seeking the position of Agricultural Officer. Mpuga's corrupt activities were uncovered after numerous public complaints were directed to the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Rakai, highlighting his persistent demands for bribes associated with job vacancies.  The Brig. Henry Isoke led State House Anti-Corruption Unit, in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate, arrested Mpuga and charged him with three counts of corruption. As part of a plea bargain, Mpuga refunded the victim UGX 30 million and agreed not to serve in any […]

Richard Kizza Lugobwa
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Museveni’s coffee Act a poverty tool and testament of corruption

  By RICHARD KIZZA LUGOBWA A controversial law dubbed the National Coffee (Amendment) Act has since its first reading in March, passing in November, and assent in December 2024 continues to provoke questions and contention regards the government’s ulterior motive. The government framed the bill as part of its RAPEX (Rationalization of Agencies and Public Expenditure) policy, launched in February 2021 to reduce redundancy and rein in administrative costs. Proponents of the law argued that the amendment aimed at streamlining government and cutting costs by integrating the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) into the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF). Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze emphasized that embedding UCDA within MAAIF would “streamline operations, and eliminate bloated structures and functional ambiguities”. However, growing opposition from MPs, farmers and analysts suggests deeper motives at play, raising fierce accusations that President […]

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Twende Zetu Butiama Pilgrimage Safari Launched to Promote Integrity and Unity

KAMPALA. The 2nd Twende Zetu Butiama Pilgrimage Safari was launched at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Kampala, bringing together dignitaries, youth, and stakeholders to commemorate the legacy of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and 25 years of the revived East African Community. The youth-led journey, organized by Afrika Mashariki Fest, aims to promote EAC integration, the Kiswahili language, and moral values. Brig Gen Henry Isoke, Head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, emphasized the importance of upholding Nyerere's incorruptible legacy, saying, "Twende Zetu Butiama is more than a safari; it is a pilgrimage of conscience." He urged Ugandans, especially youth, to embody Mwalimu's character, highlighting true leadership's selflessness, integrity, and service. The launch event was attended by high-profile guests, including Tanzania's High Commissioner to Uganda, Amb. Maj Gen Paul Kisesa Simuli, Kenya's High Commissioner to Uganda, Amb. Joash Maangi, and […]

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Gomba District Officials Charged with Extortion

Gomba. Three senior officials from Gomba District, including two District Service Commission members and the District Inspector of Schools, have been charged with extortion and soliciting bribes for government jobs. Mugerwa John Bosco, Chairperson of the Gomba District Service Commission, Muwonge Michael, Secretary of the Commission, and Lwanga Charles, District Inspector of Schools, were arraigned before the Grade 1 Magistrate Court in Gomba District on July 10, 2025. The officials allegedly conspired to extort money from job applicants, demanding bribes ranging from UGX 1 million to UGX 20 million in exchange for job placements between February and November 2024. Some victims reportedly received senior positions within the district after paying the bribes. Lwanga Charles is also accused of extorting funds from head teachers by promising improved postings and promotions Charges and Remand The officials face charges of Demanding Money with […]