By Spy Uganda
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU), working jointly with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), has charged Elizabeth Esther Steenkamp, a Kenyan national and Managing Director of Washa Lidjiwe Investments Limited, over her alleged involvement in a multimillion-dollar gold scam.
Steenkamp appeared before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court, where she was charged with Obtaining Money by False Pretence and Conspiracy to Commit a Felony. She has been remanded until October 28, 2025 as investigations continue.
According to the charge sheet, between June and August 2025, at Plot 244 Bemba Road, Munyonyo, Makindye Division, Steenkamp and others still at large allegedly conspired to defraud Vladimir Toussaint Yvens, an American businessman, of USD 255,650 (approximately UGX 985 million).
The accused reportedly lured the investor with a promise to facilitate the export of 46 kilograms of gold from Kampala, Uganda, to New York, USA. They allegedly convinced him to remit the funds, claiming the money was required to cover declaration fees, government royalties, and documentation costs associated with the shipment.
However, after receiving the payment, the suspects failed to deliver the gold and allegedly cut off all communication with the investor, prompting him to file a complaint with authorities.
The case adds to a growing number of gold-related frauds in Uganda, where investors — both local and foreign — have been duped by individuals posing as legitimate dealers in the precious minerals sector.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit has reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the CID and ODPP to crack down on fraudulent gold transactions and protect Uganda’s reputation as a legitimate investment destination.
Authorities have also launched a manhunt for Steenkamp’s accomplices, who remain at large.
