Gloria Kamira Lukalu, a Ugandan-American tech entrepreneur and founder of the US-based company Exutory, has accused individuals linked to Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) of orchestrating an elaborate scam that cost her over $21,000 (Shs80 million).
Her claims—centred on impersonation, fraud, and intimidation—raise troubling questions about the safety of Uganda’s investment landscape.
Kamira says she travelled to Uganda earlier this year with the hope of establishing innovation hubs for youth and supporting national development programs, including OWC.
Instead, she alleges she became the target of an intricate con by people who claimed access to top political and military figures.
“What I did not expect was to be swept into a high-stakes fraud that would cost me over $21,000, inflict emotional trauma, and raise troubling questions about Uganda’s investment environment,” Kamira said in a detailed statement.
According to her account, the ordeal began when she was introduced to a man identified as Ssebandeke Kiyimba Eddie, who offered to help her secure office space.
He later introduced her to Deborah R., said to be an aspiring Member of Parliament for Lyantonde.
Kamira was encouraged to join Deborah’s campaign as a way of integrating into Uganda’s political and business circles.
Through this connection, she met Asaph Nahurira Mulindwa, who she says claimed to be a police officer with close ties to General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Together with Eddie, Kamira alleges, they persuaded her to sponsor the MK Birthday Run, promising her access to influential figures and new business opportunities.
Despite initial hesitation, Kamira says she funded event branding, logistics, and travel.
But upon arriving at the event venue, she found no preparations—no branding, no officials, and no explanations, just repeated demands for more money.
The scam deepened in early May, when Kamira was introduced to Sylvia Owori, director of operations at OWC.
Owori allegedly promised to secure her a personal meeting with General Salim Saleh in Gulu if she paid additional money.
Kamira says she was instructed to send the funds to Edison Kirabira, reportedly the Civil Coordinator for OWC in the Kampala Metropolitan area.
After transferring the money and booking a business-class trip to Gulu at her own expense, she arrived to learn that General Saleh had left for DR Congo.
“Owori postponed the meeting, and Kirabira and others vanished from the venue with no follow-up,” Kamira said.
“To make matters worse, I covered all hotel accommodation, entertainment, and logistics for the very people defrauding me. My laptop charger, camera, and personal belongings were stolen.”
When she began demanding accountability, Kamira says, she received threats directed at her and her children.
She reported the case at Gulu Central Police Station, first under SD No 75/10/05/2025 and now registered as CRB 308/2025.
Police have since arrested one suspect, Asaph Nahurira, but Kamira says key individuals including Sylvia Owori, Edison Kirabira, and Eddie Ssebandeke Kiyimba remain at large.
The Nile Post has contacted Owori over the allegations.
However, the Nile Post managed to reach Kirabira, who denied the allegations.
“She was probably conned by Asaph Nahurira. I have never received anything from her,” he said.
Kamira’s lawyer, Thomas Labyem Awany of Collectica Associates Legal Consultants, confirmed that the investigation is active and ongoing.
Kamira is now calling on the leadership of OWC, the Uganda Police Force, and national security agencies to launch a full investigation and hold all perpetrators accountable.
“This is not just about me. It’s about the reputational damage to Uganda’s public institutions and the unchecked exploitation of names like General Saleh and OWC,” she said.
“The chilling message this sends to international investors and diaspora professionals is dangerous. Uganda risks becoming a cautionary tale if urgent steps are not taken.”
She insists her commitment to Uganda’s development remains intact but urges the government to demonstrate seriousness in protecting investors and restoring institutional credibility.
“Uganda is a land of talent, resilience, and opportunity. But we cannot allow corruption and fraud to overshadow its promise,” Kamira said.
“We must stand together to expose these practices and reclaim integrity in our institutions.”
Her experience underscores a wider concern among diaspora investors about fraudulent schemes that exploit state-linked networks.
Whether authorities will act decisively remains a key test of Uganda’s commitment to investor protection, transparency, and justice.