Fake tenders: How Kenyan businessmen lost Sh20 million to Ugandan fraudsters
By Nyaboga KiageDetails of an intricate fraudulent scheme that saw two Kenyans businessmen lose Sh20 million to two Ugandan nationals in a fake tender deal can now be revealed.
In July 2022, the two Kenyans identified, as James Mirimi and Kuldeep Sagoo, were tricked by the Ugandans into believing that they had received a tender to supply generators in various hospitals that were allegedly under construction.
Mr Mirimi and Mr Sagoo run Sagoo Electricals Ugandan Limited and another company with a similar name in Kenya and which deals with supply of electrical appliances for mega projects.
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The two Ugandan nationals, identified as Mr Elijah Martin Rusoke aka Albert Kamugisha aka Kennedy Tumwijukye and Mr Issa Muwonge, then organized meetings with the Kenyan businessmen at Parliament Buildings and Sheraton Hotel in Kampala where they signed the contract.
After sealing the deal, the Kenyan businessmen deposited the Sh20 million into the account of Musangala Advocates and solicitors.
That was the last time they heard from the Ugandan, until September 2022 when they reported the matter to police in Uganda.
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This week a multi-agency team, comprising State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) and Uganda Police Force officers, arrested Mr Rusoke and arraigned him in court. His accomplice, Mr Muwonge, was arraigned in court in September 2022.
The prosecution team which saw the arraignment of the Ugandan nationals in court said more people who presented themselves as members of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) special contracts committee on Presidential tasks which is non-existence were still at large.
“Mr Rusoke appeared before the KCAA Chief Magistrate’s Court and was charged with obtaining money by false pretense, contrary to section 305 of the Penal Code Act, and conspiracy to commit a felony, contrary to section 390 of the Penal Code Act,” international media in Uganda reported.
Mr Rusoke denied the charges and was remanded until September 12, 2023.
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