UPDF officer, two others remanded over alleged Shs13 billion gold scam
Prosecution allegations indicate that in September 2025, Ntakirwa, allegedly aided by Ali and Besigye, presented himself as “Gen James” and obtained money from Gafar Ibrahim Mohammed Elsawi, an investor associated with MAPSCO General Trading LLC.
A Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officer and two other suspects have been arraigned before the General Court Martial over allegations of obtaining money by false pretences in a gold transaction involving a Dubai-bound shipment valued at about Shs13 billion.
The suspects are Major Nicholas Ntakirwa, also known as “Gen James”; Mohammed Ali, a director at Duck Hunter Security Company Limited; and businessman Trevor Besigye.
According to the Anti-Corruption Unit, which worked with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the three face charges of obtaining money by false pretences and scandalous conduct.
They were remanded until November 16, 2026.
Ntakirwa, identified by service number RO/10262, is a UPDF officer attached to the Directorate of Operations under the Land Forces.
Prosecution allegations indicate that in September 2025, Ntakirwa, allegedly aided by Ali and Besigye, presented himself as “Gen James” and obtained money from Gafar Ibrahim Mohammed Elsawi, an investor associated with MAPSCO General Trading LLC.
The suspects allegedly received US$2.4 million, equivalent to approximately Shs13 billion, on September 22, 2025, at the offices of Duck Hunter Security Company Limited in Muyenga, Makindye Division, Kampala.
The money was allegedly paid for 30 kilogrammes of gold that the suspects claimed they would sell and export to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, when, according to the prosecution, they had no intention or ability to fulfil the transaction as represented.
The prosecution further alleges that on September 29, 2025, the suspects obtained an additional US$120,000, equivalent to more than Shs500 million, from the same investor.
The money was allegedly presented as a payment intended for the Commissioner General of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), but prosecutors claim this representation was false.
The case also involves allegations that the conduct attributed to Ntakirwa contravened the morality, order and expectations required under the UPDF Code of Conduct for the Defence Forces.
The authorities said other suspects connected to the alleged scheme were still at large.
The three accused will remain on remand until their next court appearance on November 16 as the case proceeds.
