By Spy Uganda
Kampala — Authorities have charged and remanded a notorious fraudster, Ssekidde Lubowa Godffrey, who has been masquerading as a senior Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officer, Major General Sam Kiwanuka, in an elaborate fraud scheme targeting unsuspecting investors.
Ssekidde was on Tuesday arraigned before court by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. He faces charges of obtaining money by false pretences, forgery and personation. Court remanded him until 21 January 2026 as investigations continue.
According to prosecutors, the accused allegedly fraudulently obtained more than USD 197,570 from an investor by falsely claiming that the money was required as facilitation fees to secure a government contract for the supply of hand hoes and mosquito nets to the Government of Uganda. Investigators say the contract was fictitious and that Ssekidde had no authority whatsoever to transact on behalf of any government agency.
Further investigations have uncovered that Ssekidde is linked to several similar fraudulent schemes in which he is alleged to have swindled other investors out of billions of shillings. Authorities revealed that he frequently impersonated a UPDF Major General purportedly attached to the Office of the President, a tactic used to gain trust and intimidate victims into parting with large sums of money.
Security agencies have warned members of the public to remain vigilant and to always verify claims of government contracts or requests for facilitation fees through official channels. The State House Anti-Corruption Unit reiterated its commitment to pursuing fraudsters who exploit the names of the UPDF, the Office of the President and other state institutions to defraud citizens.
The case is expected to resume on January 21, 2026, as the prosecution prepares to present further evidence against the accused.
