A Kampala businessman has been taken to court over an alleged multi-billion shilling fertilizer fraud that reportedly targeted an international company.
The suspect, identified as Muwonge Ibrahim alias Ibra, was arraigned before the Buganda Road Magistrate’s Court this afternoon. His appearance in court followed a joint effort by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the Criminal Investigations Directorate and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, who brought forward several criminal charges connected to the alleged scam.
Muwonge faces charges of Obtaining Goods by False Pretence, Electronic Fraud, Forgery, Uttering False Documents, and Conspiracy to Commit a Felony. He has been remanded in custody until May 28, 2026, as investigations into the matter continue.
Authorities allege that between February and December 2023, Muwonge and a number of accomplices who are still at large used a company called Kureha (U) Ltd to deceive a Turkish firm, Iskenderun Fertilizer Inc. Prosecution contends that the suspects fraudulently convinced the foreign company to ship 28 containers of fertilizer to Uganda, with each container reportedly carrying 540 bags. The total value of the consignment is said to be more than UGX 2.2 billion.
Investigators further allege that after receiving the fertilizer shipment, the suspects cut off all communication with the Turkish suppliers and went ahead to sell the products on the Ugandan market.
The case has drawn attention to the growing cooperation between Uganda’s anti-corruption agencies and law enforcement bodies in tackling complex financial crimes. Officials say the search for the remaining suspects linked to the scheme is ongoing as the government steps up its efforts to combat economic crimes that threaten investor confidence and damage Uganda’s international trade relationships.
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