The Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court has remanded eight suspects to Luzira Prison over allegations of electronically siphoning 6 billion shillings from Finance Trust Bank.
Those charged include Travies Nakabbunge, a broker; Ernest Mulindwa also known as Abbas, a businessman; Robert Kaweesi, a farmer; Robert Kisitu alias “Digital,” a businessman; and Nicholas Ssekyanzi, a businessman of Rwandan nationality, all reportedly residing in Makindye-Ssabagabo in Wakiso District.
Others are Sister Kyoheirwe, a self-employed resident of Kyabukaju II Cell in Akatojo Ward, Rubaare Town Council in Ntungamo District; Doreen Nantale also known as Vanesa, a businesswoman from Nkokonjeru in Buikwe District; and Amos Lyada, an infrastructure security analyst residing in Kirinya-Bukasa, Bweyogerere in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District.
Nantale and Lyada appeared before Chief Magistrate Ritah Neumbe Kidasa and were remanded until May 13, 2026 as investigations continue. The remaining six suspects had earlier been arraigned and similarly remanded.
Court prosecution alleges that between April 3 and April 8, 2026, the group together with others still at large illegally accessed Finance Trust Bank’s core banking system and transferred 6 billion shillings to 53 MTN Mobile Money accounts and 80 Airtel Mobile Money accounts as part of a coordinated fraud scheme.
They face three charges including electronic fraud under Section 19 of the Computer Misuse Act, theft under Sections 236 and 237 of the Penal Code Act, and conspiracy to commit a felony under Section 363 of the Penal Code Act. All the accused persons denied the charges.
State Attorney Grace Amy informed court that investigations are still ongoing and efforts are underway to arrest additional suspects believed to be involved in the scheme. The case adds to a rising number of major electronic banking fraud prosecutions before Ugandan courts.
In October 2025, four individuals including a Rwandan national were also remanded to Luzira Prison over the attempted theft of 725 million shillings from a Stanbic Bank account belonging to Enid Kukunda.
One suspect, Elizabeth Mbabazi, has since been convicted while Joel Mucunguzi, Faridah Kobusingye, and Flower Njawuzi also known as Florence Mega Kanywani remain implicated.
In a separate matter during the same month, boda boda rider George Byaruhanga was remanded over allegations of defrauding Centenary Bank of 332 million shillings through impersonation and electronic fraud.
Court documents indicated that Byaruhanga allegedly used a forged national identity card to pose as Ronald Kintu, which enabled him to register on the bank’s biometric system, obtain a Visa card, and withdraw 50 million shillings over the counter.
He is also accused of transferring 250 million shillings to an Exim Bank account and withdrawing an additional 32.2 million shillings through agent banking using falsified documents.
Earlier, in October 2024, six suspects were charged at the same court over the alleged theft of 1 billion shillings from Centenary Bank’s Mapeera Branch in Kampala.
The accused included Simei Rutinampola, a banking agent; Newton Ayesiga, a businessman; Idris Kasozi, an agent banker; Shafiq Mugulo, a businessman; Fred Byabasaija, an electrician; and Farouk Kiyemba, a self-employed individual.
Prosecution stated that Ayesiga allegedly received 250 million shillings, Kasozi 350 million shillings, Mugulo 100 million shillings, Byabasaija 200 million shillings, and Kiyemba 100 million shillings, all said to have been routed through different accounts connected to the fraudulent network.
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