A Ugandan businessman accused of orchestrating a high-level gold scam has been remanded to Luzira Prison after appearing before the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Grade One Magistrates’ Court.
Kizito Dalton Lawrence, 51, was charged on Tuesday with obtaining money by false pretence and conspiracy to defraud, following a joint investigation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (CID), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
According to prosecution led by the ODPP, Kizito and his alleged accomplice Egessa Mackland, 42, along with others still at large, defrauded an American investor, Abraham Carons, of $105,000 (about Shs400 million) between February and June 2024.
The group allegedly convinced the victim that they could supply him with 20 kilograms of pure gold, a claim investigators say was entirely false.
The fraudulent deal was reportedly conducted at Confort Suites, a hotel in Ntinda, a Kampala suburb, where the accused allegedly staged meetings and presented false documents to reinforce the scam.
Kizito faces two counts: obtaining money by false pretence contrary to Section 285 of the Penal Code Act, and conspiracy to defraud under Section 289 of the same law.
His co-accused, Egessa, is still under investigation but named in the charge sheet.
Presiding magistrate Joan Aciro ordered Kizito’s remand until July 9, 2025, when he is expected to return to court for mention of the case.
Authorities have urged members of the public, especially foreign investors, to exercise due diligence before engaging in mineral or precious metal transactions in Uganda.
The gold trade has long been a magnet for fraudsters who exploit regulatory loopholes and weak verification systems.
Efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects are ongoing.