By Spy Uganda
In a high-level meeting aimed at tightening oversight and protecting legitimate investors, Colonel Edith Nakalema, Head of the Special Investigations Unit, convened a multi-agency team of senior government and security officials to strategize on combating fraud in Uganda’s gold trade.
The meeting, held in Kampala, brought together key stakeholders from ministries, law enforcement, aviation, and regulatory bodies. Among the officials present were Eng. Irene Bateebe, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD); Brig. Gen. Henry Isoke, Head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit; Brig. Gen. Mike Kisame, Head of Entebbe Airport Security; and AIGP Frank Mwesigwa, Director of Operations in the Uganda Police Force.
Also in attendance were ACP Julius Ceaser Tusingwire, Commander of the Police Mineral Protection Unit; Mr. Fred Bamwesigye, Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA); and MEMD Commissioner Agnes Alaba.
The follow-up meeting focused on recent concerns around fraudulent practices in Uganda’s gold trade, a sector that has attracted significant investment but continues to face challenges related to smuggling, illegal exports, and regulatory loopholes.
According to officials, the discussions aimed to align efforts across sectors to safeguard legitimate investors, enhance monitoring mechanisms, and reinforce inter-agency collaboration to combat criminal networks involved in gold trade fraud.
“We are committed to streamlining the mineral trade sector to ensure it benefits the country and protects those investing legitimately,” Col. Nakalema said after the meeting. “This requires strong cooperation between enforcement agencies, regulators, and stakeholders across the value chain.”
The meeting builds on previous operations and investigations into mineral trade irregularities, and signals a renewed push by the Ugandan government to sanitize the lucrative but often opaque gold industry.
Uganda has recently positioned itself as a key gold transit and refining hub in the region, but that status has come with increased scrutiny over compliance and transparency.
Authorities say a comprehensive action plan will be developed following the meeting, with emphasis on strengthening airport security, mineral export tracking, and prosecuting fraudsters involved in the illicit trade.
The initiative is part of broader national efforts to improve investment confidence and crack down on economic crimes affecting strategic sectors.
