crime 10 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Wakiso Businessman Remanded Over Shs1.15bn Fraud in Bogus Presidential Schools Scheme
A 50-year-old Wakiso businessman, Gilbert Tumwebaze Bafanabyo, has been charged with fraud, money laundering, and personation for allegedly swindling over Shs1.15 billion from a foreign company in a fake presidential project to build model technical schools. He was remanded to Luzira Prison after appearing in the Anti-Corruption Court, which lacks jurisdiction to hear the case. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/wakiso-businessman-charged-over-shs1-15bn-fake-presidential-schools-project-5419620
A 50-year-old businessman from Nkowe in Wakiso District faces serious charges of fraud, money laundering, and personation linked to a sham presidential initiative worth over Shs1.15 billion.
Gilbert Tumwebaze Bafanabyo, also known as Albert, appeared before Grade One Magistrate Esther Asiimwe at the Anti-Corruption Court. The magistrate declined to take his plea, citing lack of jurisdiction, and remanded him to Luzira Prison.
Prosecutors claim that between July 2022 and April 2023, Tumwebaze and unnamed accomplices defrauded Ascend Group of USD 286,910 via KAAB Advocates’ account at Exim Bank. They posed the funds as security for constructing six model technical schools under an NRM-linked presidential project.
In another instance, he allegedly secured USD 19,950 through A. Mwebesa & Company Advocates’ DFCU Bank account using the same ruse. Tumwebaze is further accused of laundering the illicit funds to hide their origins and impersonating Albert, manager of Sky Link International, to con USD 240,000 from Souhel Imitaz Khan of Ascend Group.
Senior State Attorney Viola Tusingwire requested an adjournment to prepare committal papers for the High Court. The case is set for mention on April 17.
Source: Daily Monitor