A Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officer and two other suspects have been charged before the General Court Martial over allegations that they defrauded an investor of $2.4 million (about Shs13 billion) in a purported gold deal.
The suspects, identified as Maj Nicholas Ntakirwa, also known as Gen James, Mohammed Ali and businessman Besigye Trevor, were arraigned earlier today by the Anti-Corruption Unit of State House, working with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
They face charges of obtaining money by false pretences and scandalous conduct. The court remanded them until November 16, 2026.
Prosecution alleges that in September 2025, Ntakirwa, a military officer attached to the Directorate of Operations of the UPDF Land Forces, presented himself as Gen James and, together with Ali and Besigye, obtained money from Gafar Ibrahim Mohammed Elsawi, an investor with MAPSCO General Trading LLC.
According to the allegations, the suspects obtained $2.4 million (about Shs13 billion) from Elsawi on September 22, 2025, at the offices of Duck Hunter Security Company Limited in Muyenga, Makindye Division, Kampala.
The suspects allegedly claimed that the money was payment for 30 kilogrammes of gold that would be sold and exported to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, yet they had no intention of fulfilling the transaction.
Prosecution further alleges that on September 29, 2025, the suspects obtained an additional $120,000 (more than Shs500 million) from the investor, claiming that the money would be paid to the Commissioner General of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), when it was not intended for that purpose.
Ali is described as a director of Duck Hunter Security Company Limited, while Besigye is a businessman. The prosecution alleges that the three acted alongside other suspects who are still at large.
The allegations against Ntakirwa also raise questions about the conduct expected of members of the defence forces. According to the Anti-Corruption Unit, the alleged conduct was contrary to the morality, order and expectations of the UPDF Code of Conduct.
The suspects remain on remand as the case proceeds.
