Makindye Magistrates Court on Friday, Charged seven individuals with mingling minerals with intent to defraud, carrying out refining and smelting without a license, obtaining money by false pretenses, and conspiracy.
Their arrest was the effort of State House Anti Corruption Unit (SHACU) in collaboration with Criminal Investigation of Uganda Police and Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
The Accused persons are ;
Paluku Kisasi – a Congolese national, purported gold seller,
Safari Akonkwa – also a Congolese national, purported clearing agent for Legacy Refinery Company, Isaac Mpende – Congolese national, purported agent at Legacy Refinery Company Limited and Abdul Madjid Kahirima – a Ugandan national.
Others included; Mabwongo Prince – Congolese national, purported gold seller from Congo, Kajjubi Tevin Kyome – Ugandan national, representative of Emerod Co. Ltd and Tibasiima Barbra, alias Katushabe Sharon – Ugandan national, Secretary of Emerod Co. Ltd.
It’s alleged that, between July and August 2025, the accused defrauded a Nigerian businessman, Mr. Mark Gbillah of USD 70,000 by claiming they would supply him with seven kilograms of gold through their companies Legacy Refinery Limited and Emerod Agency Limited, which, in reality, had no gold to supply.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges, the Prosecution informed court that investigations in the matter are still under way , thereby prompting the trial Magistrate to remand all the seven to Luzira Prison until 19th August 2025.
