The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has sent two men back to Luzira Prison over an alleged multi-layered fraud and money laundering operation in which they are said to have extracted more than USD 257,000 (approximately 970 million Shillings) from foreign investors.
Godfrey Ssekidde Lubowa, a 63-year-old businessman from Mpala-Katabi in Wakiso District, and Joseph Ibona, 34, an unemployed resident of Namungoona-Lubya in Lubaga Division, were presented before Grade One Magistrate Esther Asiimwe on Tuesday.
However, the court did not take their plea after the magistrate ruled that she lacks the authority to handle money laundering charges, which fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
The suspects were brought to court on a production warrant, having already been on remand at Luzira Prison in connection with separate but related cases previously filed at Buganda Road Court.
According to prosecution, led by State Attorneys Viola Tusingwire and Paul Kato, the alleged offences occurred between June 2022 and July 2023 in Kampala and involved an elaborate scheme targeting two foreign companies—Etosha Defensive Systems Pty Ltd and Penda Enterprises CC.
Court documents show that the first target, Etosha Defensive Systems, was approached in 2022. The accused allegedly secured multiple payments: USD 11,754 on September 13, USD 18,490 on October 19, another USD 18,490 on November 2, and USD 49,952.50 on November 17.
The funds were reportedly solicited under the guise of facilitating registration of a local firm to secure a government contract from the Office of the President to supply military equipment. In total, the company is said to have lost USD 98,686.
The prosecution further alleges that the scheme continued in 2023, this time directed at Penda Enterprises. The accused are said to have obtained USD 19,990 on May 11 and USD 99,987.50 on May 31.
On June 22, two additional transfers—USD 345 and USD 40,887.50—were reportedly made. These payments were allegedly requested as bid security for the same purported government contract, bringing the total loss to USD 161,210.
Investigators say all the funds were deposited into an account in the name of M/S Bloom Advocates at Stanbic Bank’s Garden City branch. On June 22, 2023, the suspects allegedly processed a transfer of USD 257,896.50 through the same account, in what authorities believe was an attempt to conceal the illicit origin of the money.
Further inquiries indicate that in April 2023, the accused presented a forged contract to a complainant, Jeremia Pendapala Shikongo, falsely claiming it had been issued by the Office of the President for the supply of military uniforms and related gear.
They are also accused of fabricating letters dated June 6 and June 15, 2023, purportedly signed by Bank of Uganda Governor Michael Atingi-Ego, allegedly seeking presidential clearance to transfer USD 153 million to validate the deal.
Ibona faces an additional accusation of forging a company resolution in July 2022 to irregularly open and control the Bloom Advocates bank account as the sole signatory. Ssekidde is separately accused of impersonation, with prosecutors alleging that he posed as a General in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces during the execution of the scheme. Both men face a joint charge of conspiracy to defraud.
Magistrate Asiimwe ordered that the two remain on remand until May 19, 2026, as investigations continue and committal papers are prepared for the case to be forwarded to the High Court.
Ibona has previously been linked to similar cases. In March 2026, he appeared in court alongside Charles Mulyansaka, also known as Dr Dickens Muo, Peter Watum, and Drake Twebaze, alias Dr John Karuhanga, over an alleged fraudulent deal worth $4.95 million involving the supply of AdBlue, a chemical used to reduce vehicle emissions.
The transaction was reportedly tied to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and the Ministry of Works and Transport, with the group accused of attempting to obtain USD 50,000 from an investor under the pretext of registering TMA Africa Proprietary Limited in Uganda.
In a separate case dating back to February 2025, Ibona and others—including former Kampala District Land Board chairperson David Balondemu—were implicated in a scheme to defraud an American company, KG Unlimited LLC, of 2.2 billion Shillings.
Other individuals in that case include Martin Kasenge, also known as Denis Tumusiime, and Ronald Kaweesa, alias Dr Alfred Musinguzi. They were charged before Grade One Magistrate Dan Mwesiga with offences including electronic fraud, obtaining money by false pretences, and conspiracy to commit a felony.
Prosecution claims that between November 2022 and April 2024, the group used deceptive online communications under the name “African Natural Cannabis/Marijuana” to mislead investors into believing they were securing a government contract for a water plant project through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
Investigators say USD 553,500 (about 2.2 billion Shillings) was obtained from KG Unlimited LLC through the same Bloom Advocates account at Stanbic Bank, under the false claim that the funds were needed for company registration and pre-qualification in a government procurement process.
Authorities say inquiries are still ongoing, with more suspects believed to be on the run.
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