crime 5 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Two Men Remanded in Shs950m Fraud Scheme Targeting Foreign Defence Firms
Godfrey Lubowa Ssekidde and Joseph Ibona have been remanded to Luzira Prison after facing 19 charges of fraud, money laundering, and forgery for allegedly swindling Shs950 million from two foreign defence companies. The Anti-Corruption Court deferred their pleas due to jurisdictional issues over money laundering and adjourned the case to May 19. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/two-remanded-over-shs950m-fraud-targeting-foreign-defence-firms-5448402
Two Ugandan suspects, businessman Godfrey Lubowa Ssekidde, 63, and Joseph Ibona, 34, appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court on charges related to a massive fraud operation.
Grade One Magistrate Esther Asiimwe read out 19 counts but declined to record pleas, citing the court’s lack of jurisdiction over money laundering, which falls under the High Court. The men, previously on remand for separate offences, were produced via warrant and sent to Luzira Prison.
Prosecutors Viola Tusingwire and Paul Kato noted that investigations continue, with the next mention set for May 19.
The charges stem from a scheme between September 2022 and June 2023, where the duo and unnamed accomplices allegedly defrauded Etosha Defensive Systems Pty Ltd and Penda Enterprises CC of Shs950 million (about $257,896). They posed as intermediaries for a fictitious Office of the President contract to supply army uniforms, boots, sleeping bags, and mosquito nets.
Funds were directed to an account of M/S Bloom Advocates at Stanbic Bank in Kampala’s Garden City branch. Specific instances include Shs43 million in September 2022, multiple Shs68 million payments in October and November, Shs184 million as bid security, and further sums up to Shs370 million in 2023.
Additional accusations involve money laundering to hide the proceeds, forging Office of the President contracts and Bank of Uganda letters, uttering false documents, and Lubowa impersonating a UPDF General. They also face conspiracy to defraud.
This case highlights ongoing efforts to combat sophisticated financial crimes targeting international businesses.
Source: Daily Monitor