A Kampala businessman has been dragged to the Anti-Corruption Court in a shocking multi-billion fraud case in which he allegedly masqueraded as a high-level project manager to fleece foreign investors using a fake government contract.
The suspect, identified as Gilbert Tumwebaze Bafanabyo, also known by the alias “Albert”, was on Friday arraigned following a joint operation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the Criminal Investigations Directorate, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Tumwebaze is facing a cocktail of serious charges, including obtaining money by false pretence, money laundering, and impersonation—offences that prosecutors say were part of a carefully orchestrated scheme that ran for months.
The Alleged Scam
According to prosecution, between July 2022 and April 2023, the accused devised an elaborate con targeting investors from Qatar. Presenting himself as “Albert”, a supposed manager of a firm identified as Sky Link International, Tumwebaze allegedly convinced the unsuspecting investors that he had secured a lucrative government contract.
He reportedly claimed the deal involved the construction of six technical model schools across Uganda—in Wakiso, Kasanda, Pader, Garuga, Nampungwe, and Busunju—projects he said had been sanctioned by the Government of Uganda.
To make the scheme appear legitimate, Tumwebaze allegedly demanded “performance security fees” from the investors, a common requirement in genuine procurement contracts.
But investigators say it was all a lie.
In total, the accused is said to have pocketed a staggering USD 286,910 (approximately UGX 1.1 billion), fully aware that no such government contract existed and that the entire arrangement was fictitious.
Web of Deception
Prosecutors further allege that Tumwebaze did not act alone, with several accomplices still at large. Authorities say efforts are underway to track down the remaining suspects believed to have participated in the fraudulent scheme.
The case has raised fresh concerns about the growing sophistication of fraud targeting foreign investors, particularly schemes that exploit the credibility of government institutions to appear authentic.
Court Proceedings
Tumwebaze appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court and was formally charged before being remanded to prison. He is expected to return to court on April 17, 2026, as investigations continue.
If convicted, the businessman could face severe penalties, including lengthy imprisonment, as Uganda intensifies its crackdown on white-collar crime and investor fraud.
Warning to the Public
Authorities have since warned both local and international investors to exercise extreme caution and to verify all government-related contracts through official channels before making any financial commitments.
The case serves as a stark reminder of how fraudsters are increasingly exploiting trust, titles, and perceived government connections to execute high-value scams—leaving victims counting heavy losses.
As the hunt for his accomplices intensifies, the Tumwebaze case is shaping up to be one of the most audacious fraud scandals to hit Kampala in recent months.
