AMUDAT, Uganda: In a nation where the glimmer of gold should symbolize prosperity, it has instead become the shadowy beacon of corruption. Our latest investigation unveils the murky depths of Uganda’s largest illicit gold mining operation, meticulously orchestrated by those entrusted with the nation’s mineral wealth.
At the epicenter of this conspiracy is Eng. Kedi Vincent, a man whose proximity to power has enabled a massive cover-up within the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. The ministry charged with the mineral-rich Uganda`s underworld riches is headed by one of President Museveni`s most trusted big girls, Ruth Ssentamu Nankabirwa.
“I don’t know about Evergrande. If they engage in any kind of tax evasion, that should be the work of URA (Uganda revenue Authority), the soft-spoken Kedi, also refered to as President Museveni`s blue-eyed boy, retorted when approached by this writer about the offensive Evergrande, a gold-mining company under review in these pages.
The Birth of a Hidden Empire
Evergrande Resources Limited, a company once granted exploration rights, was intended to assess and develop Uganda’s gold and base metal reserves for the country’s benefit. However, instead of serving the public interest, Eng. Kedi Vincent, together with his co-conspirators, manipulated these rights to forge an illicit empire. Under the guise of legitimate exploration, Evergrande secretly launched Uganda’s largest illegal mining operation, all while basking in the protection afforded by Kedi’s close ties to the highest echelons of power.
Amudat Community’s Plight
The ripples of this clandestine operation have been felt most acutely, in the remote district of Amudat, where residents have endured the brunt of Evergrande’s activities since 2021. The once-pristine rivers, lifelines for local communities, have become tainted, their waters now unsuitable for consumption due to the pollution from mining activities. The loss of land has compounded the suffering, as locals were deceived into signing away their ancestral homes, often, reportedly after being plied with alcohol by the company’s representatives.
Despite the community’s desperate pleas for intervention, their cries have largely gone unanswered. NGOs, local government officials, and even police officers have turned a blind eye, their silence supposedly bought by Evergrande agents’ deep pockets. The situation has grown increasingly dire, with some residents fearing they may never reclaim their land or restore their environment.
The Evolution of Evergrande
Incorporated on July 7th 2020, Evergrande Resources Limited was founded by three shareholders namely; Okello Rogers, Lu Yang, and Noel Kagaba. With an initial investment of USD2M, the company’s beginnings seemed above board. However, the truth behind its funding tells a different story.
According to local sources, Eng. Kedi is highly believed, to have reportedly convinced the Chinese investor into believing in a lucrative opportunity, only to funnel the money into his supposed proxy, Okello Rogers. And here, the covert extraction of Uganda’s gold began!
To obscure their evidently illicit activities further, a resolution passed on February 8th 2023, transferred all shares of Evergrande to three new entities namely; Jingang Investments Company Ltd, Wanxing Gold Jewelry Company Ltd, and OksFortune Company Ltd. Yet, our investigations reveal, these companies are mere facades, with Okello continuing to hold shares in trust for his boss, the true mastermind behind the scenes.
From Concealed Night Shifts to Brazen Operations
Initially, tells our informed local sources, the illegal mining was conducted under the cover of darkness. Former workers we talked to recall how the Chinese operators, fearing exposure, processed gold only at night, yielding about five kilograms weekly. As the operation expanded, so too did its audacity. With their Godfather`s unwavering support, the company moved to 24-hour processing, ramping up production and emboldening their operations.
By 2022, production had soared to 25-30 kilograms per week, prompting Kedi to devise new ways to evade scrutiny. Reliable Refinery Ltd was established as a front supposedly to handle the vast amounts of untaxed gold being smuggled out of the country. But as the scale of their activities threatened to expose them, they shifted tactics, moving from gold extraction, to the export of gold concentrates. “By labeling the shipments as soil samples for analysis, they successfully masked the true nature of their exports,” sadly says our source on ground.
Exporting Uganda’s Wealth Undetected
Our investigative team uncovered a staggering stockpile of over 400 tons of gold concentrate awaiting export in Amudat. According to experts, a single ton of this concentrate contains approximately 230 grams of refined gold. In other words, the awaiting shipment is equivalent to around 100 kilograms of pure gold—an unimaginable fortune siphoned out of Uganda without a trace.
Truckloads of this illicit cargo, positively identified by registration numbers; KCS 459K, KDK396F, KCA 104J, and others, have been quietly moving out of the country. Despite the colossal scale of this operation, Kedi’s influence has ensured that export permits are hastily approved, with no questions asked. He has gone so far as to convince his superiors that Evergrande is merely exporting samples for future mining equipment, a ruse that has allowed the illicit operation to continue unabated. The latest gives credence to allegations of Kedi also having the Ministry`s support in his supposed illicit trade.
A Nation Betrayed Vide Corruption
The revelations of Uganda’s largest illicit gold mining operation raise serious questions about the integrity of those in power. Eng. Kedi Vincent, beleivably shielded by his connections and emboldened by his position, has single-handedly masterminded a scheme that not only robs the nation of its wealth, but also betrays the trust of its people.
The gold that should have fueled the nation’s development is instead lining the pockets of a few, while the people of Amudat suffer in silence. As state investigations continue, one can only hope that justice will prevail. Yet, as Kedi himself reportedly boasts, “nothing serious will come out – politics as usual.” For the sake of Uganda’s future, let’s hope he is wrong.
Watch this space for more developments as our investigation into Evergrande Resources Limited continues. Will this be the story that finally unmasks the corruption festering within Uganda’s mining sector, or will it be yet another chapter in a long saga of impunity? The truth, as always, lies in the balance.
Author Profile
- Stanley Ndawula is a two and a half decades’ seasoned investigative journalist with a knack for serious crimes investigations and reporting. He’s the Founding Editorial Director and CEO at The Investigator Publications (U) Limited
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