A serving Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officer and two civilians have been arraigned before the General Court Martial over allegations of defrauding an investor of approximately UGX 13 billion in a purported gold transaction involving 30 kilogrammes of gold destined for Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The suspects, including a military officer attached to the Directorate of Operations under the Land Forces, were charged following investigations conducted by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU), in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

The three accused are RO/10262 Major Nicholas Ntakirwa, also known as Gen James, Mohammed Ali, a director at Duck Hunter Security Company Limited, and businessman Besigye Trevor.
They were charged with obtaining money by false pretences and scandalous conduct. The court remanded them until November 16, 2026, as investigations and legal proceedings continue.
According to the prosecution, the alleged fraudulent transaction occurred in September 2025, when Major Ntakirwa, reportedly acting under the identity of Gen James and allegedly aided by Mohammed Ali and Besigye Trevor, obtained money from Gafar Ibrahim Mohammed Elsawi, an investor associated with MAPSCO General Trading LLC.

The accused allegedly obtained USD 2.4 million, equivalent to approximately UGX 13 billion, from the investor on September 22, 2025, at the offices of Duck Hunter Security Company Limited in Muyenga, Makindye Division, Kampala.
Prosecutors allege that the suspects falsely represented to the investor that they were selling and arranging the export of 30 kilogrammes of gold to Dubai, UAE, when they had no intention or ability to fulfil the purported transaction.

The prosecution further alleges that the accused acted with intent to defraud the investor by inducing him to part with the money under false pretences.
The case also involves a subsequent alleged transaction in which the suspects reportedly obtained an additional USD 120,000, equivalent to more than UGX 500 million, from the same investor on September 29, 2025.
According to the prosecution, the money was allegedly obtained under the false representation that it would be paid to the Commissioner General of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), whereas it was not intended for that purpose.
The allegations suggest that the purported gold deal involved multiple payments, with the investor allegedly losing substantial sums of money in the process.

The prosecution further states that other individuals suspected of involvement in the alleged scheme are still at large.
Major Ntakirwa’s alleged conduct has also attracted scrutiny because of his position in the UPDF. The State House Anti-Corruption Unit stated that the alleged actions were contrary to the morality, order and expectations of the Code of Conduct for the Defence Forces.
The case underscores the continuing efforts by anti-corruption investigators and prosecutors to pursue alleged financial fraud involving individuals from different sectors, including public institutions and private businesses.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit worked alongside the CID and the ODPP in bringing the suspects before the military court to answer the charges.
The suspects will remain on remand until November 16, 2026, when they are expected to return to court for further proceedings.