Written By | Our Reporter
Gilbert Tumwebaze Bafanabyo, also known as Albert, was presented in court by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit
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KAMPALA
A Wakiso businessman has been arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court on charges of obtaining money by false pretence, money laundering, and impersonation after allegedly defrauding Qatari investors of approximately Shs 1.1 billion by pretending to secure a government contract for the construction of model schools.
Gilbert Tumwebaze Bafanabyo, also known as Albert, was presented in court by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (AntiGraft_SH) in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
Gilbert Tumwebaze Bafanabyo
Court documents indicate that between July 2022 and April 2023, within Kampala District, Tumwebaze posed as “Albert”, a manager of Sky Link International, and devised a scheme to dupe the foreign investors.
Prosecutors allege that the accused, together with others still at large, fraudulently obtained USD 286,910 (approximately Shs 1.1 billion) from the investors. He claimed the money was required as performance security fees for a supposed Government of Uganda contract to construct six technical model schools in Wakiso, Kasanda, Pader, Garuga, Nampungwe, and Busunju.
The prosecution maintains that the representations were false and that Tumwebaze knew no such contract or procurement arrangement existed under the Presidential project. He was arrested and charged following investigations into the sophisticated scam.
Tumwebaze denied the charges. He has been remanded to Luzira Prison until April 17, 2026, when he is expected to return to court for mention.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by anti-corruption agencies to crack down on individuals who exploit the name of government projects to defraud unsuspecting investors, particularly in the education and infrastructure sectors. Investigations are continuing to trace the accomplices and recover the funds.
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