A joint anti-corruption operation has led to the arraignment of two suspects accused of defrauding foreign investors in a fraudulent military supply contract scheme.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit, working with the Criminal Investigations Directorate and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, presented Godfrey Lubowa Ssekidde and Joseph Ibona before the Anti-Corruption Court on charges of money laundering, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery, uttering false documents, personation, and conspiracy to defraud.
The accused were remanded until May 19, 2026.
Prosecution alleges that between September 2022 and May 2023 in Kampala, the two, together with others still at large, obtained $257,896.5 (Shs 1 billion) from Namibian-based investors, Etosha Defensive Systems Pty Ltd and Penda Enterprises CC, with intent to defraud.
According to the charges, the suspects allegedly misrepresented to the investors that they would secure a government contract to supply military items, including army uniforms, boots, sleeping bags, and mosquito nets.
It is further alleged that the money was channelled through a law firm’s bank account under the false claim that it was required for fees, disbursements, and bid security payments to facilitate the registration of a local company and secure a contract from the Office of the President.
Investigations into the matter are ongoing, with authorities pursuing other individuals believed to have participated in the scheme.
