Four Congolese, Three Ugandans Remanded Over Cross-Border $70,000 Gold Scam
A joint security operation has landed seven people four Congolese nationals and three Ugandans in prison over an elaborate gold scam that allegedly swindled a Nigerian businessman out of USD 70,000.
The suspects appeared before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court to face a string of charges, including mingling minerals with intent to defraud, refining and smelting without a license, obtaining money by false pretenses, and conspiracy to commit a felony.
They were named as Paluku Kisasi (Congolese, alleged gold seller), Safari Akonkwa (Congolese, alleged clearing agent for Legacy Refinery Company), Isaac Mpende (Congolese, alleged agent at Legacy Refinery Company Limited), Abdul Madjid Kahirima (Ugandan, alleged gold smelter), Mabwongo Prince (Congolese, alleged gold seller from the DRC), Kajjubi Tevin Kyome (Ugandan, representative of Emerod Co. Ltd.), and Tibasiima Barbra, alias Katushabe Sharon (Ugandan, secretary of Emerod Co. Ltd.).
According to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the group is accused of orchestrating the fraud between July and August 2025.
Investigators say the accused promised Mr. Mark Gbillah, a Nigerian national, a consignment of seven kilograms of gold through their companies, Legacy Refinery Limited and Emerod Agency Limited. Authorities allege there was never any gold to supply, and the deal was designed purely to fleece the buyer.
The suspects have been remanded until August 19, 2025, as the probe continues into what officials warn is part of a wider pattern of cross-border gold rackets linking Congolese operatives with Ugandan counterparts.
