Seven suspects, four Congolese nationals and three Ugandans have been remanded to prison over an alleged cross-border gold scam that left a Nigerian businessman USD 70,000 out of pocket.
The suspects identified 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 DRC), Kajjubi Tevin Kyome (Ugandan, representative of Emerod Co. Ltd.), and Tibasiima Barbra, alias Katushabe Sharon (Ugandan, secretary of Emerod Co. Ltd.).
The accused were produced before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court on Friday. 
These face charges of mingling minerals with intent to defraud, refining and smelting without a license, obtaining money by false pretenses, and conspiracy to commit a felony.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit, working jointly with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), alleges the group conspired between July and August 2025 to lure Mr. Mark Gbillah, a Nigerian national, into paying for seven kilograms of gold. The deal was presented through Legacy Refinery Limited and Emerod Agency Limited, companies that, investigators say, had no gold at all. 
Authorities have described the case as part of a widening network of fraudulent gold dealings that blend Congolese supply claims with Ugandan facilitators to target foreign buyers.
The suspects will remain in custody until August 19, 2025, as the investigation continues.
