In a video posted on TikTok last night, Mabonga defended Cohen as a legitimate investor and portrayed himself as someone providing private security services to the businessman. The disclosure has added a new factor to the growing controversy surrounding Cohen, a foreign gold dealer whose activities in Uganda have increasingly drawn attention from security agencies, gold traders and, reportedly, the highest levels of government.

Mabonga came into the limelight after publishing the above mentioned footage of Mugumya, which spread widely on social media and triggered public outrage over the alleged treatment of the opposition activist while in detention. However, the footage also brought Lt. Herbert Mabonga himself under scrutiny.

His association with Cohen had previously been noted, and his appearance alongside the gold dealer raised questions about the businessman he was protecting and the circumstances under which Cohen had established himself in Uganda’s lucrative gold industry. Mabonga’s subsequent defence of Cohen has now made those questions even more difficult to ignore. For starters, it’s important to profile the person of Carlos Cohen.

Who is He 

Until recently, Cohen Ferreira Carlos Partricio was a relatively obscure figure in Uganda’s gold-trading circles. He moved around in an armoured vehicle, surrounded by the kind of security and pomp commonly associated with high-value gold dealers. But unlike many of the indigenous gold traders who have operated in Uganda for years, Cohen’s profile suddenly rose after a purported letter from President Yoweri Museveni to the Inspector General of Police, directing the police chief to personally supervise investigations into a multimillion-dollar gold scam.

The letter, whose authenticity has been questioned by some people familiar with its circulation, was titled “INTERVENTION IN A GOLD SCAM CASE” and addressed to IGP Abas Byakagaba. In it, President Museveni purportedly recounts a complaint from two gold buyers, Gafar Ibrahim and Nagi Muhammed, Cohen`s collegues, who claimed to have lost hundreds of thousands of United States dollars to individuals they described as fraudsters.

“I have got a letter dated the 29th of June, 2026 from two gold buyers by the names of Gafar Ibrahim … and Nagi Muhammed,” the purported presidential letter begins. According to the document, the two complainants had narrated how large sums of money were allegedly taken from them in a gold transaction and how they subsequently reported the matter to several security agencies.

Among those named were Col. Edith Nakalema, Senior Presidential Advisor on Anti-Corruption and head of the State House Investors Protection Unit; Brig. Gen. Henry Isoke, who heads the State House Anti-Corruption Unit; Crime Intelligence, headed by Gen. Christopher Ddamulira; Uganda Police Force under IGP Byakagaba; and the military intelligence authorities.

The letter purportedly expresses the President’s dissatisfaction with the progress of the investigations. “All these have not helped them,” the document states, before directing the Inspector General of Police to personally take charge of the matter. “This is therefore to direct you to personally oversee the investigation of this scam, apprehend these criminals and recover their money,” the letter says.

It then reportedly gives the police chief two months to resolve the matter, subject to verification of the complainants’ claims. “I give you 2 months to solve this problem if the accusers are saying the truth,” the letter states.

Copies of the purported correspondence were reportedly circulated to several of the parties involved, including Ibrahim Muhammed Gafar. Yet, while Cohen’s name does not appear in the presidential letter, we have traced the circumstances surrounding the complaint to a much more intriguing figure, Cohen Ferreira Carlos Partricio, commonly known as Carlos Cohen.

According to information obtained by The Investigator, Cohen is alleged to have been instrumental in facilitating access between Gafar and Nagi and senior authorities at State House. That development raises a larger question of who exactly, is Carlos Cohen, the foreign gold dealer whose business dealings have apparently attracted presidential attention?

Who Exactly Is Carlos Cohen?

Cohen Ferreira Carlos Partricio was reportedly born on September 30, 1978, in Angola, to Alipio Joaquim Ferreira and Celeste Cohen. His early life and movements remain difficult to independently establish, but available information suggests that he left Angola in the late 1990s and eventually settled in Portugal, where he is said to have acquired citizenship.

His nationality and identity have, however, become a subject of discussion. In some circles, he has reportedly been described as Portuguese, while other accounts have associated him with Israel. The circumstances surrounding these different descriptions remain unclear. More significantly, records reportedly obtained from Portugal point to a long-running criminal case involving a person bearing Cohen’s name.

The records relate to proceedings before the Albufeira District Court (Tribunal Judicial de Albufeira) in Portugal’s Algarve region. According to those records, Cohen has for years been wanted in connection with criminal allegations involving unlawful appropriation, fraud and document forgery.

The case reportedly dates back to the early 2000s and concerns allegations that, if established in court, could have serious consequences. The Portuguese proceedings are particularly significant because they reportedly show that the defendant became difficult for authorities to locate.

The Allegations

The first allegation cited in the Portuguese proceedings is unlawful appropriation. In general terms, unlawful appropriation involves taking, using or retaining property belonging to another person without lawful authority or consent. The precise legal meaning and applicable penalty depend on the circumstances and the relevant provisions of Portuguese law.

The second allegation is simple fraud, or burla simples. Under Article 217 of Portugal’s Penal Code, fraud generally concerns obtaining an unlawful financial benefit by causing another person to act under an error or deception.

The third allegation concerns document forgery, commonly referred to in Portuguese as falsificação ou contrafacção de documento. The relevant provision, Article 256 of the Portuguese Penal Code, addresses conduct involving the falsification, alteration or misuse of documents where the statutory elements of the offence are met.

The 2006 Court Ruling

The Portuguese court records provide an unusual insight into what happened after Cohen became unavailable to the authorities. The proceedings are identified under Common Trial No. 451/00.0JAFAR, with Notice No. 2467/2006. According to the records cited, the matter was before the 2nd Court of the Albufeira District Court under Judge Dr. Patricia Malveiro.

On May 18, 2006, Cohen was reportedly declared contumacious under Article 335 of Portugal’s Code of Criminal Procedure. In simple terms, a declaration of contumacy is a legal mechanism applied when a defendant remains absent from proceedings in circumstances provided for by law. It can result in the suspension of proceedings until the defendant appears or is arrested.

A subsequent ruling stated thus; “The declaration of contumacy, which expires upon the defendant’s appearance in Court or arrest…” The ruling further provided for the suspension of the trial pending Cohen’s appearance or arrest and outlined additional legal consequences arising from the declaration.

Among those consequences was the restriction of certain legal and administrative transactions and the acquisition of specified official documents. The court consequently suspended the proceedings pending his arrest or appearance. That development would leave the case hanging over Cohen for years.

From Portugal to Dubai

According to the account being investigated by The Investigator, Cohen subsequently left Portugal and travelled to Dubai. It is from Dubai, according to the same account, that his Ugandan chapter began. While in Dubai, Cohen became acquainted with individuals connected to Uganda, eventually being introduced to a Ugandan national identified as Joram Itungo.

Itungo is described in the account as a 36-years long-serving State House employee. According to sources cited in the investigation, Itungo became an important link between Cohen and Uganda. After establishing contact with Itungo, Cohen travelled to Uganda. It was here, according to the account, that his involvement in Uganda’s gold trade began to attract increasing attention.

The Gold Business and the Disputes

Uganda’s gold trade is a lucrative but controversial sector, involving local traders, foreign buyers, brokers, refiners, investors and intermediaries. For Cohen, the business appears to have involved transactions running into millions of dollars. One of the disputes associated with him concerns a transaction in which he reportedly approached police at the Entebbe Aviation Police (AVIPOL), claiming that he had been defrauded of gold worth approximately USD1.6M.

That complaint adds another layer to a story that has increasingly become complicated by competing claims of victimhood. On one side are gold buyers who say they were defrauded and have sought the intervention of Uganda’s security agencies and State House. On the other are questions surrounding Cohen’s own history, including the unresolved proceedings reportedly pending against a person bearing his name in Portugal.

The result is an unusual situation in which an individual whose past is itself the subject of unresolved legal questions has emerged as a central figure in a dispute in Uganda involving claims of gold fraud running into hundreds of thousands, and potentially millions, of dollars.

Why President Museveni`s Intervention  

The purported presidential letter is significant. Not merely because of the money involved, but because of the extraordinary number of security and anti-corruption institutions reportedly approached before the matter reached the President. The correspondence names State House anti-corruption officials, Police, Crime Intelligence and military intelligence authorities.

The President’s reported instruction that the Inspector General of Police personally oversee the investigation is therefore likely to attract considerable public interest. But there is another question that remains unanswered. Why did a dispute involving private gold transactions require intervention at the highest level of government?

And perhaps more importantly, what was the precise relationship between Cohen, the complainants and the individuals who facilitated their access to State House? Those questions are at the heart of the continuing investigation.

The Bigger Questions

Cohen’s story raises a number of issues that authorities may ultimately have to clarify. First, what is his precise immigration and citizenship status in Uganda? Second, what is the current legal status of the Portuguese proceedings reportedly registered against him? Third, was the Portuguese arrest warrant ever executed, withdrawn, cancelled or otherwise disposed of?

Fourth, what exactly brought Cohen to Uganda’s gold market? Fifth, what was his relationship with the Ugandan officials and intermediaries who reportedly helped him establish contacts?

And finally, what was the precise nature of the gold transactions involving Gafar Ibrahim and Nagi Muhammed that ultimately triggered the purported presidential intervention? These questions cannot be conclusively answered merely by the existence of court records or complaints. They require documentary verification, responses from the individuals named, and clarification from the relevant authorities.

For now, what is clear is that Cohen Ferreira Carlos Partricio has moved from relative obscurity to the centre of a gold controversy that has reached the highest levels of Uganda’s security establishment. His reported history in Portugal, his movement through Dubai, his arrival in Uganda, his links to influential intermediaries and the multimillion-dollar gold disputes surrounding him form a complex trail that raises more questions than answers.

And as the Portuguese proceedings reportedly remain tied to his appearance or arrest, the next chapter of the Cohen story may ultimately depend not only on what happened in Uganda’s gold market, but also on whether the long-running legal questions surrounding his past are ever brought to a final conclusion.

Dr. Mugisha commended the Human Resources Directorate for the initiative and called for greater emphasis on preparing employees for retirement while they are still in active service, particularly through financial literacy programmes. “Invest in unit trusts, bonds and NSSF so that you are able to get the maximum benefit from the money you have,” he advised.

He noted that sound financial decisions made during one’s working years can provide greater security and independence after retirement. Central to his message was a simple formula for success, which he summed up in the acronym HEND – Hard Work, Entrepreneurship, Networking and Discipline.

He explained that hard work builds resilience and creates opportunities for growth, cautioning staff against relying on shortcuts to achieve success. Entrepreneurship, he said, allows individuals to create additional sources of income and build investments that can continue generating returns beyond formal employment.

Dr. Mugisha also highlighted the value of building the right networks, noting that meaningful professional and personal relationships can open doors to opportunities, knowledge and collaboration. Discipline, he added, provides the foundation needed to manage resources, maintain focus and exercise the self-control necessary to achieve long-term goals.

Beyond HEND, the Managing Director identified time management, integrity, consistency, a positive attitude, empathy and teamwork as important attributes for both professional and personal success. Turning his attention to the retirees, Dr. Mugisha thanked them for their contribution to NWSC over the years and recognised the different roles they had played in the Corporation’s growth and service delivery.

He reiterated NWSC’s commitment to recognising long service, noting that qualifying employees who retire after serving the Corporation for at least 25 years are entitled to lifetime medical care for themselves. Retirement, however, does not necessarily mark the end of their relationship with the Corporation. Dr. Mugisha told the retirees that their experience and institutional knowledge remain valuable to NWSC, describing them as a “reserve task force” whose expertise may still be called upon when needed.

Staff with specialised skills, he explained, could be engaged on special contracts where their knowledge and experience are required by the Corporation. For employees still in active service, his message was equally clear: remain relevant, continuously develop specialised skills and start preparing for retirement early. “Learn how to make yourselves special, but largely prepare for retirement,” Dr. Mugisha said.

His message underscored the importance of viewing retirement not as an abrupt end to one’s professional journey, but as a transition that requires deliberate financial planning, continuous learning and preparation for new opportunities.

The controversy has also raised questions about the treatment of suspects, the protection of witnesses and the exercise of prosecutorial discretion after a criminal case had already reached the Chief Magistrate`s Court at Buganda Road, City Hall chambers.

Last Friday, September 18th 2026 at be precise, three gentlemen walked into our offices in Kisaasi, to supposedly give an account of the events surrounding what they described as a gold-deal-gone-bad. Their leader, Joseph, was already known to the newsroom. One of the men was a lawyer who presented the group as acting on behalf of Sheikh Bukenya.

Their account broadly followed the chronology contained in a complaint filed by lawyers representing the alleged victim, a Nigerian Prince, Muhammad Kwaido. But the appearance of the men also introduced another dimension to the story. According to the account presented to us, they acknowledged the broad chronology surrounding the transaction but expressed concern about the direction of the criminal proceedings and the possibility that the Sheikh could ultimately face legal consequences.

That account though, could not by itself establish criminal liability against anyone. Its common knowledge that the allegations remain matters for investigators, prosecutors and the courts to determine. However, what is now beyond dispute, is that the transaction has generated a formal criminal complaint, a court case, an arrest warrant and a separate complaint to the Director of Public Prosecutions over the handling of the case file.

From a Mosque to a Restaurant

According to the account given to the newsroom and the complaint by Prince Kwaido’s lawyers, the alleged transaction began with discussions at Old Kampala Mosque. Kwaido, a Nigerian national described as a prince, and who was in dire need of Gold, was introduced to people said to be connected to the prospective sellers. The discussions subsequently moved to the office of the 2nd Deputy Mufti, Sheikh Hafidh Muhammad Harunah Bukenya.

From there, according to the account, the parties moved to a restaurant in the vicinity of Gaddafi Mosque at Old Kampala, as negotiations over the purported gold continued. The transaction then took another step. The parties travelled to a selected smelting company where they were allegedly expected to receive three bars represented to the prospective buyer as genuine gold.

They waited for associates of the purported sellers to arrive with the bars. When the bars were eventually delivered, the group reportedly left the premises. The account presented to the newsroom states that the parties travelled in a vehicle belonging to the Deputy Mufti towards an area near the Nigerian High Commission. It was there, according to the complainant’s account, that payment was made through a USDT cryptocurrency arrangement.

The amount involved was USD288,000. At the prevailing exchange rate, that would amount to hundreds of millions of Uganda shillings, making the alleged transaction one of considerable financial significance. However, the gold later turned out not what it appeared to be! The deception, according to the complainant, only became apparent after the transaction had been completed.

The buyer began the process of documenting the gold and preparing it for export. It was during additional testing and verification that questions emerged over the authenticity of the three bars. Further examination reportedly established that the bars were counterfeit. That discovery transformed what had initially appeared to be a high-value commercial transaction into a criminal complaint.

For the buyer, the central question was no longer simply whether the gold could be exported. It was how three bars prior presented as genuine gold had passed through a chain of meetings and intermediaries, including locations associated with religious leadership, before being handed over in a transaction worth nearly US$300,000.

The Criminal Case

Nevertheless, the dispute subsequently entered the criminal justice system. The lawyers representing Kwaido have since identified the matter as CRB No. 085 of 2026, before the Chief Magistrate`s Court of Buganda Road, at City Hall. The complaint is principally against Lubega Muzamilu and others who are said to remain at large.

According to the September 8th 2026 letter, addressed to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Lino Anguzu, the complainant’s lawyers say the court had already issued criminal process against persons implicated in the case, including a warrant of arrest. The lawyers, from Ms Kaganzi & Co. Advocates, say their client became concerned after learning that the police file had subsequently been recalled by the Kampala Regional Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The file, they say, remained at the Regional DPP’s office even though proceedings had already commenced before Buganda Road Court. It is this development that has become the second major controversy surrounding the gold case. Why was the file recalled? The lawyers seem to task Anguzu to explain the glaring anormally.

In their missive, the lawyers, signed for by Lady Counsel Akatukwasa Dianha, do not object to the prosecutorial authorities reviewing a criminal file. Their concern is what they describe as the manner and circumstances of the recall. They argue that a review should be “transparent, expeditious and consistent” with the constitutional mandate of the DPP.

The lawyers are particularly concerned that the recall occurred after the matter had already progressed before court and after criminal summons and a warrant of arrest had reportedly been issued against the Mufti Sheik Bukenya.

The question they want answered is straightforward: Why was the file recalled, where is it now, and what is delaying its return or further action? Those questions are important because recalling a file for prosecutorial review is not, in itself, proof of wrongdoing. Prosecutors may review files for a variety of legal and evidentiary reasons. The issue raised by the complainant is whether the process in this particular case has been handled consistently and without improper considerations.

The Deputy Mufti Bukenya Question

The most sensitive part of the complaint concerns Sheikh Hafidh Muhammad Harunah Bukenya. The lawyers say their client considers the 2nd Deputy Mufti, their principal person of interest in the circumstances surrounding the entire transaction. They question why some individuals have been brought into the criminal process while, in their view, the Sheikh has not been subjected to similar action.

Their argument is that if credible evidence points to involvement by any individual, that person should be investigated according to the same standards regardless of office, social standing or influence they hold before the public. Akatukwasa specifically ask the DPP to independently examine the Sheikh’s alleged role in the events surrounding the transaction.

Importantly, the complaint itself does not amount to a finding of guilt against Sheikh Bukenya. Neither does the existence of a criminal complaint establish that the allegations made against him are utterly true, since those matters would have to be established through investigation and, where appropriate, judicial proceedings.

Fear of Witness Interference

Akatukwasa has also raised concerns about potential interference with witnesses. They argue that continued delay could create an opportunity for persons connected to the case to influence, intimidate, induce or otherwise interfere with material witnesses. This stance, if the same hasn’t been succeeded already!

The lawyers further describe their fears as an apprehension arising from what they say are the circumstances of the case and the alleged access that influential persons may have to individuals who could provide evidence. They therefore want the prosecution authorities to consider measures to ensure that witnesses can participate in the investigation and court process without intimidation or coercion.

This is potentially significant in any criminal investigation involving several participants, particularly where the prosecution’s case depends substantially on statements from people who were present during meetings, negotiations, payment or delivery of the alleged counterfeit gold.

Is There Selective Treatment?

Perhaps the strongest allegation in the lawyers’ letter is the suggestion of differential treatment among people implicated in the matter. The complainant’s lawyers point to the fact that warrants of arrest were reportedly issued against some suspects while Sheikh Bukenya, whom they consider “a person of interest”, has not been subjected to what they regard as equivalent criminal process.

They describe this as an apparent disparity. They stop short of dictating to the DPP how prosecutorial discretion should be exercised. Instead, they request an independent review of the circumstances surrounding the file and the people implicated in the investigation. Their position is essentially that status should not determine who is investigated or prosecuted.

Allegations of External Influence

The lawyers go further by expressing concern that external considerations could be affecting the handling of the file at the Kampala Regional DPP’s Office. This is an allegation contained in their complaint and not an established finding by The Investigator. They say the circumstances surrounding the recall and continued retention of the police file have created an apprehension that factors other than the evidence may be influencing the process.

Akatukwasa consequently asked the Director of Public Prosecutions, Lino Anguzu, to personally examine the matter. The request places the case at the intersection of two competing considerations; the DPP’s authority to review and direct criminal prosecutions, and the complainant’s expectation that a criminal case already before court should proceed without unexplained or unnecessary delay. Watch this space…

The Katikkiro made the remarks during a courtesy visit by Centenary Bank’s former Managing Director, Fabian Kasi and his successor Godfrey Byekwaso at Bulange, Mengo, where Kasi formally introduced Byekwaso to the Katikkiro following the leadership transition at the bank.

“Centenary Bank is the largest indigenous bank in Uganda. It is our own local bank which makes us proud as Ugandans. As Buganda Kingdom, we are happy with the partnership we have with Centenary Bank to develop the people of Buganda and Uganda at large,” the Katikkiro said.

Mayiga commended Centenary Bank for providing financial services that respond to the needs of Ugandans, noting that this makes it possible for the Kingdom to recommend the bank to farmers, traders and other members of the community. “We tell our people to collaborate with Centenary so that they can develop themselves because when our people develop, the Kingdom also develops,” he said.

The Katikkiro noted that the relationship between the two institutions has delivered mutual benefits over the years but said there is an opportunity to make it bigger and more impactful. He pointed to the significant concentration of economic activity and financial inclusion opportunities in Buganda and the Central Region, including farmers, traders and businesses and urged Centenary Bank to leverage its ties with the Kingdom to deepen its presence and reach more people.

“I therefore urge you to expand this market through expanding your partnership with us and you will benefit from it. I am ready to ensure that this partnership is strengthened even further,” he said. Centenary Bank and Buganda Kingdom have worked together on several initiatives, including the Masaza Cup, CBS Pewosa, the Kaliisoliiso Dinner, among others. Several Buganda Kingdom institutions also maintain accounts with Centenary Bank.

Speaking at the visit, former Centenary Bank Managing Director Fabian Kasi thanked the Katikkiro for providing the bank with opportunities to work closely with the Kingdom.

“As Centenary Bank, we are proud of the partnership we have with Buganda Kingdom and that is because you, the Katikkiro, have been giving us that opportunity,” Kasi said. He noted that the collaboration with the Kingdom has contributed to the bank’s growth and expressed confidence that it would continue under the new leadership.

“As Centenary Bank, we partner with Buganda Kingdom on a lot of projects and those partnerships are one of the reasons we are where we are today as a bank. We hope these partnerships can continue even with the new Managing Director,” he said. The new Managing Director, Godfrey Byekwaso, thanked the Katikkiro for maintaining a strong relationship with Centenary Bank and appreciated the Kingdom for continuing to prioritise the bank.

Byekwaso pledged to build on the existing relationship and take it to greater levels under his leadership. “I pledge to you that the relationship between Centenary Bank and the Kingdom is going to continue and grow stronger. We request you to continue partnering with us and rallying the whole Kingdom to continue working with us,” he said.

Centenary Bank will continue to work with the Kingdom and its institutions to expand access to financial services and create opportunities for farmers, traders, entrepreneurs and communities across Buganda and Uganda.

The initiative comes amid concerns over the number of road crashes and injuries involving motorists and other road users in Uganda. According to the 2025 Uganda Police Annual Crime Report, the country recorded 26,044 road traffic crashes in 2025, up from 25,107 in 2024. The crashes resulted in 5,383 deaths, compared to 5,144 deaths recorded in 2024. That means an average of at least 15 people died daily from road accidents.

Through this campaign, the Rotary Club of Mapeera seeks to equip road users with practical knowledge and safety gear while encouraging greater responsibility on the roads. Speaking at the launch, Centenary Bank Executive Director Business, Michael Opira, said the initiative was born out of the need to respond to the loss of lives and injuries caused by road crashes.

“We found that there are many injuries and loss of lives happening due to road accidents and as a club, we decided to take up a road safety initiative. We believe this is an area where we need to support our communities,” Opira said. He added that Centenary Bank’s support for the initiative reflects its broader commitment to serving communities and addressing issues that affect people’s lives and livelihoods.

“As a bank, we decided to partner with Rotary because we share the same vision of serving the underserved. We first want to create awareness because when people are aware, they become interested and are able to learn more,” he said. The President of the Rotary Club of Mapeera, Maria Ochaloi said the campaign is ultimately about encouraging people to value and protect their lives.

“Protect your lives because life is wealth. You may not lose your life in an accident, but you can suffer a permanent injury that can change your life. Love your lives, protect them and let us make our roads safe for everyone to use,” she said.

The road safety campaign is a signature initiative of Rotary District 9213. District Governor, Dr. Gerald Obai, commended the Rotary Club of Mapeera for taking the message beyond its immediate membership and into the wider community.

He also recognised the club’s other community initiatives, including blood donation drives, extending safe clean water to communities, and the construction of a perimeter wall at a school for deaf learners that the club has pioneered in the past. The day also began with a blood donation drive that was hosted by the Club at the Constitutional Square that lasted until 5:00pm.

Over the years, Centenary Bank has collaborated with Rotary Uganda to make meaningful change in the communities they serve through initiatives such as medical camps, financial literacy programs, environmental programs, and the annual Rotary Cancer Run, where it has contributed over UGX 3 billion to support cancer treatment and prevention in Uganda.

In 2025, the bank extended this partnership further and fully embraced the Rotary International community when it officially launched its own club, the Rotary Club of Mapeera as a platform to formalize and grow staff’s commitment to social responsibility.

His prominence comes after the President supposedly penned a hard-hitting letter to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), purportedly directing him to investigate and cause arrest of several `crooks` who purportedly swindled the golden `investors`. In the letter, titled “INTERVENTION IN A GOLD SCAM CASE” and addressed to IGP Abas Byakagaba, the President gives stun directives.

“I have got a letter dated the 29^th of June, 2026 from two gold buyers by the names of Gafar Ibrahim on telephone number…., and Nagi Muhammed. In this letter, they give a long story of how hundreds of thousands of Dollars were stolen from them by fraudsters whom they, later on, reported to a host of security personnel,” the President`s letter, who`s authenticity many have contested, begins.

President Museveni went on to name the security personnel above as “Nakalema” (Col. Edith Nakalema, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Anti-Corruption and Head of the State House Investors Protection Unit), “Isoke” (Brig. Gen. Henry Isoke, the Head of State House Anti-Corruption Unit), “Crime Intelligence” headed by General Christopher Ddamulira, “Police” headed by the very addressee, IGP Byakagaba and, surprisingly “CMI”, a defunct intelligence organ which the President himself dissolved and rebranded it to Defence Intelligence and Security (DIS), also referred to as the Directorate of Intelligence and Security.

“All these (above) have not helped them… This is therefore to direct you to personally oversee the investigation of this scam, apprehend these criminals and recover their money,” Not synonymous of him, the President this time accompanied his directives with an ultimatum. “I give you 2 months to solve this problem if the accusers are saying the truth.” The President copied the letter to all concerned parties, including Ibrahim Muhammed Gafar, whose copy was leaked to the media.

Whereas the President`s letter doesn’t mention Cohen, we, at The Investigator Publications (U) Limited, authoritatively established that he is the one who actually secured Gafar and Nagi to the Old Man with a Hat`s audience. Nevertheless, in this article, we elect to know the person of the `investor` who attracted the First Citizen`s attention and anger that even led to him suppressing his security personnel`s ability.

Who Is Carlos Cohen?       

Born on September 30^th 1978 in Angola, the now 48yr Old Cohen Ferreira Carlos Partricio, also referred to as Carlos Cohen, is son to Alipio Joaquim Ferreira and Celeste Cohen, both little-known Angolan citizens. However, for reasons yet to be established, Cohen is reportedly a Persona non grata back in his own country of origin. This could be the reason he`s also known as a Portuguese and or, an Israelite.

Purportedly running from Angola in the late 90s, Carlos Cohen supposedly found his new home in Portugal, where he became a citizen. However, records sourced from Portugal, and particularly at the Albufeira District Court (Tribunal Judicial de Albufeira), located on Rua do Município road in Albufeira District, Algarve Region, indicates that he has been fugitive and a wanted man back home for quite a long time, 20 years to be exact.

Here, he`s accused of three counts, all pointing at fraud, embezzlement and character assassination, as well as working around bringing his competitors down or out of business, but all through unlawful means. However, in 2006, police failed to locate him and hence, returned the arrest warrant back to Court where, it was put on hold until his arrest is secured, no matter when.

The Pending Charges to His Name

In Portugal, Carlos Cohen is accused of Unlawful Appropriation. For starters, an unlawful appropriation charge is a legal accusation that a person has intentionally and wrongfully taken, used, or kept property belonging to someone else without their consent. It is a broad legal term often used interchangeably with theft, embezzlement, or stealing, depending on the jurisdiction and how the property was originally obtained.

The second charge is Simple fraud (burla simples in Portuguese). This one, in Portugal, is set out in Article 217 of the Portuguese Penal Code. Its definition and Elements Core Action include tricking someone or causing error through clever deception, to get illegal money and or goods for oneself or someone else of the criminal mind`s choice.

The third charge is Document forgery. This, again in Portugal, is governed by Article 256 of the Portuguese Penal Code (Código Penal). It is under the classification of falsification or counterfeiting of documents, also known as Falsificação ou contrafacção de documento. It is a prohibited conduct and the law there harshly penalizes one for committing it.

The third charge above is slapped onto anyone who, with the intent to cause damage to another person or the State, obtain an illegitimate benefit, or facilitate another crime, engages in any of the following; Manufacturing or producing a false document or its components, falsifying or altering a genuine document, abusing another person’s signature to forge a document. All the above crimes, Carlos Cohen, committed back home in Portugal.

Sensing the sensitivity and gravity of the charges to his name, Cohen reportedly elected to jump the bail and fled the country for good. His supposed first stop was in Dubai. Like in Angola, he is on the run and still badly wanted in Portugal over the said charges whose particulars of offense, The Investigator pledges to unveil in these pages, in the subsiquent articles about the matter.

Jumps Bail, Charges Put On Hold Pending His Arrest   

Upon Cohen proving stubbornly elusive, Justice Dr. Patricia Malveiro, then Judge of the 2^nd Court of the Albufeira District Court ruled in the common trial number 451/00.0JAFAR, under NOTICE number 2467/2006, that the trial be suspended pending the defendant`s arrest. This was after Cohen was declared contumacious on May 18^th 2006 under article 335 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

“The declaration of contumacy, which expires upon the defendant`s appearance in Court or arrest, has the following effects; 1- Suspending of the trial until the defendant`s appearance or arrest, 2- Nullity of patrimonial legal transactions entered into by the defendant after this declaration [and], 3- Prohibition on obtaining documents, including identity cards, drivers’ licences, passports and certificates,” reads Justice Dr. Patricia`s ruling on June 2^nd 2006.

For starters, Contumacy is a stubborn, wilful refusal to obey authority, a law, or a court order. In this case, Cohen`s intention of jumping the bail. From Portugal, Carlos Cohen allegedly ran and sought refuge in Dubai. From here, he would come to Uganda and deal in gold transactions that went bad at all trials. The last time, he reported a case at Entebbe Aviation Police (AVIPOL), claiming he had been reportedly swindled of gold worth USD1.6M.

However, as he helplessly loitered back in Dubai, a friend of his connected him to a Ugandan, a one Jordan Itungo. Then a 30yr long serving State House staff, Jordan Itungo offered the necessary help. Upon contacting Itungo, Cohen jumped on the next plane to Uganda. Here, Itungo did something for Cohen that he will regret to his grave…

Carlos Cohen The Ugandan:

Watch this space….

For contribution or any additions to this story, please contact the writer, strictly via WhatsApp +256752799909

rivalry scores with calculated allegations to security and legal apparatus.” From religious leaders

to lawyers, money lenders to mineral investors, journalists to witchdoctors, gold dealing in

Uganda has become the ultimate jackpot—a financial muscle flex that promises instant wealth if

the cards are played right.

But what has eluded this lucrative sector is a pool of genuine dealers. And yet, they exist.

The Freeze That Wasn’t

On August 28, 2026, Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development announced a one

month temporary freeze on issuing new mineral rights and licenses—a move ostensibly designed

to “avert and reorganize the business.”

But allegations abound that the freeze has mainly affected local players while cushioning foreign

investors who continue to make their business acumen felt in the sector “against all odds.”One of these investors is Mr. Cohen Carlos, an Israeli national who owns Feldstein Co. Ltd, a gold

refinery in Kampala. He entered the market around 2022-2023.

Who Is Carlos Cohen?

The question echoes through Kampala’s mineral circles, often followed by whispers and raised

eyebrows.

According to sources, Mr. Cohen left Israel and eventually set up base for his business with a

local model who doubled as his business partner in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The couple

reportedly wound up a business worth a whopping $28 million in Abu Dhabi before settling in

Nairobi, Kenya.

Mr. Cohen then settled in Uganda under the overseership of Mr. Joram Itungo, his local contact

and business partner. Their association sealed Feldstein’s entry into the Ugandan mineral

market, specializing in gold.

The Photograph That Sealed Dominance

In a post shared on his official X account, President Yoweri Museveni proudly displayed a

photograph of himself holding a gleaming gold bar, flanked by Mr. Cohen Carlos.

“I am with Mr. Cohen Carlos, who owns Feldstein Co. Ltd., a gold refinery in Kampala. It refines

Uganda’s gold to a purity level of 99.9%,” Museveni wrote.

The President noted that global gold prices have recently fluctuated significantly, stating that

gold which had been trading at around USD 173,000 per kilogram had dropped to approximately

USD 129,000 per kilogram following geopolitical instability linked to conflict in the Gulf of Persia

region.

“This particular one and a half kilograms of gold that I am holding is from Ibanda,” Museveni

added. “Mr. Cohen is building another refinery in Morulem, Abim.”

The post continued: “Uganda is waking up. We have 10 licensed gold refineries in Uganda. Mr.

Cohen’s refineries are printing the Bank of Uganda logo on the gold bars.”This photograph and an alleged letter penned from State House, have been used by this investor

to kick his competitors out of his way who include; Ugandans, Kenyans and now a Sudanese.

Questions That Demand Answers

The photograph, while projecting an image of progress and investment, raises uncomfortable

questions:

• How did an Israeli national with a background in Abu Dhabi business ventures come to

dominate Uganda’s gold refining sector in just two years?

• What role did Mr. Joram Itungo play in facilitating this meteoric rise?

• Why are foreign investors seemingly immune to the licensing freeze that has crippled

local dealers?

• What are the implications of a private refinery printing the Bank of Uganda logo on gold

bars?

• Who truly benefits from Uganda’s gold wealth—and at what cost?

The Bigger Picture

Uganda’s gold trade has long been dogged by allegations of smuggling, money laundering, and

opaque deals. The country’s gold exports have surged in recent years but so have questions

about the origins of the precious metal and the beneficiaries of its wealth.

The presence of 10 licensed refineries, including Feldstein’s, suggests a booming industry. But

the concentration of power in the hands of a few—particularly foreign investors with powerful

connections—paints a different picture.

As one insider put it: “Gold dealing is not only financial muscle but assurance of one hitting the

jackpot instantly if they played their cards right. But for every winner, there are countless

losers—local miners, small-scale dealers, and communities who see little of the wealth extracted

from their soil.”What Next?

As the temporary licensing freeze enters its final days, all eyes are on the Ministry of Energy and

Mineral Development. Will the sector be “reorganized” in a way that benefits genuine dealers—

both local and foreign? Or will the status quo persist, with a select few continuing to reap the

rewards while the rest watch from the sidelines?

For now, the image of President Museveni holding a gold bar from Ibanda, standing beside Mr.

Cohen Carlos, remains seared into the public consciousness—a symbol of both Uganda’s golden

promise and its murky reality.

The Investigator will continue to follow this story. If you have information about Uganda’s gold

trade, contact our investigative desk.

The annual Kaliisoliiso dinner held at Hotel Africana and organized by CBS FM, brought together partners and stakeholders to raise support for road safety initiatives and the development of the Nkozi Hospital Accident and Trauma Centre, which will strengthen Nkozi Hospital’s capacity to provide quality emergency and trauma care to victims of road traffic accidents.

Speaking at the dinner, Centenary Bank Managing Director, Godfrey Byekwaso, said the Bank’s responsibility to Ugandans extends beyond providing financial services to supporting initiatives that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

“At Centenary Bank, our purpose is to transform lives through inclusive financial services. Supporting initiatives that preserve lives and strengthen communities is a natural extension of that purpose,” he said.

He noted that health and well-being are closely linked to the social and economic progress of communities because when people have access to timely healthcare and safer environments, they are better able to work, provide for their families, run businesses, and contribute to the development of their communities.

According to the 2025 Uganda Police Annual Crime Report, Uganda recorded 26,044 road traffic crashes in 2025, up from 25,107 in 2024. The crashes resulted in 5,383 deaths, compared to 5,144 deaths recorded in 2024. That means an average of at nearly 15 people died daily from road accidents.

The Bank’s partnership with Nkozi Hospital and CBS FM is one of the initiatives through which it is supporting better health outcomes and road safety. The Bank has been part of efforts to develop the Accident and Trauma Centre at Nkozi Hospital since the first fundraising drive in 2016.

Located along the Kampala-Masaka highway, Nkozi Hospital serves communities along one of the country’s major transport corridors and receives victims of road traffic accidents, among others. The development of the Accident and Trauma Centre is expected to strengthen the hospital’s capacity to provide timely emergency and trauma care to accident victims.

Every year, Centenary Bank dedicates 1.5% of its previous year’s profits towards Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives in education, health, environmental stewardship, Social Mission of the Church and community development.

As part of its continued support, Centenary Bank entered into a three-year Memorandum of Understanding with CBS FM in 2025, committing UGX 280 million to the Road Safety Programme. The Bank contributed UGX 80 million in 2025 and an additional UGX 100 million this year, bringing its contribution under the partnership to UGX 180 million. Over the years, Centenary Bank has contributed more than UGX 400 million towards the initiative through fundraising dinners, marathons and other activities.

“Our decision to support this initiative reflects who we are as an institution. We serve millions of Ugandans across the country. Every day, our customers travel on these roads to open their shops, transport produce, report to work, attend school, visit their families, and more. Their safety matters to us because they are the people we exist to serve,” Byekwaso said.

Byekwaso commended CBS FM for keeping road safety and community well-being on the public agenda and mobilising different stakeholders around the development of the Nkozi Accident and Trauma Centre.

“Centenary Bank remains committed to partnerships that create lasting value for the communities we serve. We will continue to support initiatives that contribute to healthier, safer and more resilient communities because transforming lives means caring about the well-being of the people we serve every day.”

The Katikkiro of Buganda, and Chief Guest of the dinner, Charles Peter Mayiga, cautioned Ugandans against reckless driving and urged motorists to take personal responsibility for preventing road crashes.

“Do not drink and drive, always use your seat belt, do not use your phone while driving, exercise patience and discipline on the roads, particularly when overtaking, approaching busy areas and interacting with pedestrians and other road users. These may appear to be simple actions, but they can make the difference between life and death. Every road user has a responsibility to protect their own life and the lives of others,” he said.

The transaction, according to a statement made to police by Muhammad Ibrahim Abdullahi, a Nigerian national and diplomatic officer serving at the Nigerian High Commission in Kampala, involved a chain of meetings and introductions that included Uganda’s Second Deputy Mufti, Sheikh Dr. Hafidh Muhammad Harunah Bukenya. The account places the centre of the negotiations at Old Kampala Mosque, where the Deputy Mufti’s office reportedly became the starting point for discussions over the proposedgold deal purchase.

Whereas the statement does not establish that Sheikh Bukenya personally supplied or manufactured the counterfeit bars, the Deputy Mufti supposedly  introduced the Prince and his associates to people represented as legitimate gold dealers and later became involved in arrangements surrounding all the transactions.

The allegations remain subject to investigation and any persons accused of wrongdoing would be entitled to respond to them and to the presumption of innocence unless and until Court at City Hall determines otherwise.

A trusted introduction

According to Abdullahi’s statement, the events began in early August 2026 when he and a Nigerian medical doctor, also a staff with Mulago Hospital, a one Dr. Sadique, sought to source genuine gold. Sadique, the statement says, knew Sheikh Hafidh Muhammad Harunah Bukenya and had previously been contacted by him concerning gold issues.

The Deputy Mufti allegedly represented that he knew legitimate gold sellers and had a licence relating to gold transactions. That representation, according to Abdullahi, gave the prospective buyers confidence that they were dealing with people, including a respected and trustworth Mufti, who could provide genuine gold.

Abdullahi says him and Sadique subsequently met Sheikh Bukenya at Old Kampala Mosque, where they discussed the sourcing of gold. The Deputy Mufti allegedly confirmed that he had access to legitimate sellers and proposed that the Nigerians work with him and his business associates. But the first attempt quickly ran into trouble.

According to the statement, the first person presented as a seller produced what appeared to be gold but was subsequently considered counterfeit. The proposed transaction consequently collapsed. Rather than ending the search, however, the failed deal was followed by another approach.

Mufti Again Featres with a Second Seller

Abdullahi says that several days later, Sheikh Bukenya contacted Sadique again and claimed that he had found another person who possessed genuine gold. This time, the transaction was allegedly presented as urgent. Muhammad Kwaido, the earlier mentioned complainant and a brother to Abdullahi, attended a subsequent meeting at the Deputy Mufti’s office along with Dr. Sadique.

It was there, according to the statement, that Sheikh Bukenya introduced them to his associate, a man identified as Muzamiru, together with another person presented as the gold seller. Muzamiru has since been arrested and remanded. He was also identfied as Mufti Bukenya`s Personal Assistant. The participants discussed the proposed purchase, including the price, testing arrangements, processing and the procedure for completing the transaction.

The Deal Location Changes Repeatedly

Initially, the transaction was to take place at the Deputy Mufti’s office. Abdullahi says Sheikh Bukenya later changed the proposed location to a restaurant near the Gaddafi Mosque, explaining that his office lacked the electrical power socket required for the intended procedure. Gaddafi is the seat of Isilam faith in Uganda.

The Mufti supposedly suggested that the smelting of the gold could, if necessary, even be conducted from the restaurant at the Mosque. But the restaurant also proved unsuitable! According to the statement, the purported sellers considered the location too open and proposed moving the operation to Nureen Enterprises Ltd, a supposed smelting company of their choice.

The Refinery and the Three Bars

The group then proceeded to Nureen Enterprises in the outskirts of the Capital Kampala.  The people present at the refinery, according to Abdullahi, included Sheikh Bukenya, Muhammad Kwaido, Muzamiru, Dr. Sadique, Abdullahi himself and the person presented as the seller. They all waited for about two hours for the purported seller’s partners, a man and a woman, to arrive with the gold.

Eventually, the pair arrived carrying a bag with three bars purported to be gold. The transaction now entered a more technical stage. The parties were told that USD300 was required for smelting and testing the three bars. According to Abdullahi, they were assured that the money paid for testing and smelting would be refunded once the transaction was completed.

At that stage, Abdullahi says, he had no reason to suspect that the bars were fake. He says he relied on the representations of the people presenting the bars as genuine gold, the testing and processing procedures taking place at the refinery and, importantly, the confidence he placed in the people who had introduced the sellers, in particular Sheikh Bukenya and his associate Muzamiru. Following the testing and other arrangements, the purported sellers handed over a locked black toolbox containing the three bars.

The Payment

The group then left the refinery. According to Abdullahi, he temporarily held the locked toolbox as the group travelled in the Deputy Mufti’s vehicle to an area near the Nigerian High Commission. It was at this point that the payment mechanism allegedly changed from an ordinary cash or banking transaction, to cryptocurrency.

Sheikh Bukenya, the sellers and Muzamiru reportedly informed the buyers that payment would be made in USDT, a cryptocurrency commonly used for dollar-denominated transactions. Muzamiru was reportedly instructed to contact a USDT agent who could receive the money.

Abdullahi says the Nigerians contacted a forex agent known to them as Aminu and arranged for  the USD288,000 to be sent to the USDT agent introduced by the other side. The payment was eventually made. For the buyers, the transaction appeared to have been completed. But the most consequential part of the deal was yet to come.

The Gold Fails a Second Examination

After payment, Muhammad Kwaido proceeded with arrangements for documentation and the proposed exportation of the purported gold. It was during further examination and testing required before the gold could be documented and exported that the transaction unravelled. The three bars were subjected to additional testing.

According to Abdullahi’s statement, the results showed that they were not genuine gold bars. Instead, the bars were found to consist of steel or another base metal coated or plated with gold. The discovery transformed what had appeared to be a completed multimillion-shilling transaction into a case of sophisticated deception. The buyer had paid for three bars that were allegedly counterfeit.

The race back to the Deputy Mufti’s office

The discovery triggered an immediate attempt to confront those involved. Abdullahi says he and Kwaido contacted Sadique and went directly to Sheikh Bukenya’s office at Gadaffi Mosque. They informed the Deputy Mufti that the purported gold had failed the additional examination and showed him the bars.

The two Nigerians sought his intervention, according to the statement, because of what they described as his involvement in the transaction and because he had introduced Muzamiru as his business partner. In addition, Dr. Bukenya had earlier informed them how he had personally sourced the sellers from DR Congo and that they were in Uganda on his invitation and expense, hence the earlier mentioned urgency the transaction required.

That relationship, the statement suggests, was central to the confidence the prospective buyers placed in the deal. Abdullahi nevertheless makes a deliberate distinction about his own role. He says he was neither the owner, purchaser nor seller of the purported gold and did not introduce Kwaido to the individuals who presented themselves as sellers.

The Mysterious USD5,800

Beyond the headline figure of USD288,000, Abdullahi’s statement raises questions about smaller sums allegedly exchanged before the main payment. He says he was informed that the buyer had already given Sheikh Bukenya US$2,800 in connection with the transaction. He further says Sadique told him that he and the Deputy Mufti had added another USD3,000, allegedly calculated at US$1,000 per kilogramme. Together, the amounts were said to total TO USD5,800.

According to the statement, this amount was to be divided among four people, with each person receiving USD1,450. There was also reportedly a request for an additional USD3,000 from the buyer. Abdullahi says he communicated that request to Kwaido. But after the discovery of the counterfeit gold, he says he returned the USD2,400 he had personally received, to the buyer. The statement does not, by itself, establish the ultimate whereabouts or disposition of all the other funds allegedly paid in connection with the transaction.

Why the Deputy Mufti’s Role Matters

The most sensitive element of the allegations is not simply the counterfeit gold. It is the role allegedly played by a senior religious figure in bringing the parties together. Abdullahi repeatedly emphasises the trust attached to Sheikh Bukenya’s position. In his concluding remarks, he says the discussions concerning the transaction took place at the Deputy Mufti’s office and that those involved believed him to be a person of high integrity because of his position and status.

That confidence, if the account is substantiated, would have been a crucial element in the transaction. For the buyers, the presence and involvement of a senior religious leader allegedly gave credibility to people they did not otherwise know. The central question for investigators, therefore, is whether Sheikh Bukenya was simply an intermediary who was himself deceived by purported gold sellers, or whether he knew, or should have known, that the transaction was fraudulent. Remember he fully owned them before the buyer as his visitors from DR Congo.

A Transaction that Moved Through Trusted Spaces

The chronology described in the statement is striking. The prospective buyers were first brought into contact with the alleged sellers through discussions at Old Kampala Mosque. The transaction was then considered at the Deputy Mufti’s office. It was moved to a restaurant around Gaddafi Mosque.

From there, the parties went to a chosen smelting company, where they waited for the purported sellers’ associates to arrive with the three bars. After the purported gold was handed over, the group travelled in the Deputy Mufti’s vehicle to an area near the Nigerian High Commission. Payment was then made through a USDT arrangement.

Only after the buyer began the process of documenting and exporting the gold did additional testing expose the bars as counterfeit. It is this sequence that gives the allegations their extraordinary character. A transaction worth nearly three hundred thousand US Dollars  allegedly passed through a series of locations and intermediaries before the product was ultimately exposed as fake.

Questions Investigators will Have to Answer

As the matter proceeds to a full criminal investigation, several questions become central. Who supplied the three bars? The statement refers to a man and a woman who allegedly arrived with the purported gold, as well as the person initially presented as the seller. Establishing their identities and tracing their movements could be critical.

Who owned the gold, or knew where it came from? Investigators would need to establish the chain of custody of the three bars before they reached Nureen Enterprises. What did the refinery’s first tests actually establish? The statement says the bars underwent testing and processing before payment. Investigators will need to examine what tests were conducted, what their results were and whether the procedures could have been manipulated.

The, Who received the USD288,000? The money was reportedly sent in USDT to an agent introduced by the other side. Tracing the digital wallet addresses, intermediary accounts and eventual beneficiaries could provide an important financial trail.

What was the purpose of the additional payments? The alleged USD2,800, USD3,000 contribution and subsequent request for another USD3,000 will also require clarification. What exactly was the relationship between Sheikh Bukenya and Muzamiru? Abdullahi says Muzamiru was introduced as the Deputy Mufti’s business partner. Investigators would need to establish the nature of that relationship and whether it extended to the gold transaction. Did anyone know the bars were counterfeit before the payment was made? This may ultimately be the most important question.

The presumption of innocence

The allegations contained in Abdullahi’s statement are serious, but an allegation is not proof of criminal liability. The statement represents the account of one participant in the transaction and in our subsquent series, we shall test against the evidence of other participants, transaction records, communications, refinery records, CCTV footage, cryptocurrency transfers and forensic examination of the bars.

Sheikh Hafidh Muhammad Harunah Bukenya and the other people mentioned in the statement definitely have the right to provide their accounts of what happened. Surprisingly, in one of the clips before our desk, the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Ramathan Mubajje is seen on the table, supposedly as a reconcilliator after the bad deal. His statement too, will be sought for our better reporting of the matter.

For investigators, the task is to determine whether this was a case of criminals exploiting the reputation and connections of an influential religious figure, or whether the Deputy Mufti himself played a knowing role in a deliberate scheme to defraud the Nigerian buyer. For Muhammad Kwaido, however, the immediate reality was stark. Three bars that had been represented as gold were allegedly worthless base metal beneath a thin covering of gold. And US$288,000 had already changed hands!

The Investigator has established that Gold Medal, a company that has for years specialised in importing garments and other merchandise from China, has been unable to operate this year following enforcement action by URA officials.

The company now claims that its troubles began after a dispute with one of its clients escalated into a confrontation involving Sharifa Nakalema, a URA official who works in intelligence collection.

Gold Medal officials allege that Nakalema subsequently demanded a stake in the company from its Chinese investors and threatened consequences when the proposal was rejected.

Nakalema, however, declined to respond to the allegations when contacted by The Investigator, saying she was too busy to discuss the matter.

The Groupage Business

Gold Medal’s business model revolves largely around Groupage imports, a system in which goods belonging to several small-scale traders are consolidated into shipments from China before being transported, cleared and distributed to individual clients in Uganda.

According to Ruth, a director at Gold Medal, the company charges its customers a service fee for facilitating the importation and clearance of their merchandise.

She says the business had operated normally until one of its consignments was delayed last year.

One of the affected clients, according to Ruth, had goods valued at about Shs20 million in the delayed shipment. The client complained about the delay and subsequently demanded Shs30 million from Gold Medal as compensation, in addition to taking possession of her merchandise.

Ruth says the company apologised for the delay and attempted to resolve the dispute amicably.

“Gold Medal offered to pay Shs12 million and also have her take her goods without paying,” Ruth said, explaining that the company was prepared to absorb part of the loss to settle the matter. The client allegedly rejected the offer and insisted on the Shs30 million compensation.

Summoned to URA

The dispute took a dramatic turn when Ruth was summoned to URA offices. She says she was surprised to find the complainant already at the URA offices with Nakalema.

According to Ruth, she was detained at Nakalema’s office until about 3am before being taken to Jinja Road Police Station. She claims police at Jinja Road declined to admit her and she was instead taken to Kira Road Police Station.

“I was detained at Kira Road without any case or file for about three days when my people came for me,” she said. The allegations could not independently be verified by The Investigator, and no police or court documents have been presented to this publication confirming the circumstances of the detention.

The dispute was eventually resolved financially, with Gold Medal agreeing to pay the client Shs30 million, according to Ruth. But, she says, that settlement did not end the company’s problems.

The Café Javas Meeting

Ruth claims that after the dispute was settled, Nakalema demanded a meeting with Gold Medal’s Chinese owners.

The meeting was reportedly arranged by Dr Hamza Sebunya, the husband of musician Rema Namakula, and took place at Café Javas in Lugogo.

Ruth says she attended the meeting and that she has recordings of the discussions.

According to her account, Nakalema told the Chinese investors that if they wanted Gold Medal to continue operating in the Groupage importation business, they had to make her a business partner.

“She made it clear before my bosses that if they want to remain in the business of Groupage importation, they have to offer her shares in the company,” Ruth alleged. She claims the demand was for a 50 percent stake in Gold Medal.

The Chinese investors allegedly rejected the proposal. Nakalema is also accused of demanding that Ruth be removed as the company’s resident director.

Faced with the demand for shares, the Chinese investors allegedly proposed an alternative arrangement under which Nakalema would receive Shs5 million for every container cleared.

Ruth says the proposal was rejected and the discussions collapsed.

The Investigator could not independently authenticate the alleged recordings or verify the details of the meeting with the other participants.

Alleged Payments

Ruth further alleges that despite the disagreement over the proposed business arrangement, Nakalema later received more than Shs80 million from the Chinese investors in connection with the clearance of some containers.

She claims Gold Medal has records showing the amounts allegedly paid and the accounts through which the money was transferred.

According to Ruth, some of the payments were allegedly delivered through Dr Hamza.

“These are payments we can account for. I have the figures and the accounts where the money was wired,” she said.

The allegations, however, remain claims by Gold Medal officials and could not independently be verified by The Investigator.

There was also no evidence presented to this publication showing the nature of any contractual or official arrangement under which such payments would have been made.

Gold Medal Shuts Down

The company believes its refusal to give Nakalema a stake eventually triggered the enforcement action that brought its business to a standstill.

Ruth claims Nakalema threatened to close the company after the Chinese investors refused to make her a partner.

Two months ago, according to the company, URA enforcement officials raided its premises and subsequently closed the business.

Since then, Gold Medal says it has been unable to operate. “We have not worked at all this year. That is why we are demanding justice,” Ruth said.

The closure has reportedly affected the company’s Chinese investors, employees and numerous small-scale traders who depended on Gold Medal to consolidate and clear their merchandise.

For the Chinese investors, the dispute has evolved from a commercial disagreement into what they describe as a fight for the survival of their investment.

Questions for URA

The allegations raise broader questions about the conduct of revenue enforcement officers, the boundaries of intelligence operations and the protection of foreign investment in Uganda.

URA officials have wide responsibilities in enforcing tax and customs laws, including investigating suspected violations and ensuring compliance with customs procedures.

However, allegations that a public official demanded shares in a private company, sought to remove a director or received money from investors would raise serious questions if established.

Such claims would require scrutiny by the relevant authorities and should be tested against documentary evidence, financial records and the official record of the enforcement actions against Gold Medal.

The company says it is ready to provide its records, including alleged payment trails and recordings of meetings, to investigators.

The allegations also come at a time when Uganda continues to court Chinese investors and promote itself as a destination for foreign capital.

For Gold Medal’s owners, the central issue is no longer simply the original dispute with a customer.

They want authorities to investigate how a client compensation dispute escalated into what they allege became an attempt to control their business and, eventually, its closure.

Nakalema Responds

The Investigator contacted Nakalema by telephone and asked her to respond to the allegations made by Gold Medal. She declined to discuss the matter. “I am very busy. I can’t talk anything on that matter. And I also don’t have time to meet you,” Nakalema said.

Her response was the only comment obtained from her regarding the allegations.

The Investigator was unable to independently establish whether the alleged recordings and payment records exist or whether the enforcement action against Gold Medal was connected to the accusations made by Ruth.

The company maintains that it has evidence to support its claims and is demanding an investigation.

As the controversy deepens, the fate of Gold Medal now rests on whether the allegations can be independently substantiated and whether the relevant authorities will examine the evidence presented by the company.

For the Chinese investors and the Ugandan employees whose livelihoods depend on the business, the demand is straightforward: they want their company reopened and the circumstances surrounding its closure investigated.

Until that happens, Gold Medal remains shut, while serious allegations against a URA intelligence official continue to hang over the company’s collapse.