A Qatar-based firm has reported a significant financial loss of $306,950 (approximately Shs1.2 billion) due to a scam orchestrated by Ugandan fraudsters. The scam involved two law firms, employees of Parliament, a former high-ranking official in President Museveni’s cabinet, and some security agents.
The fraudsters, posing as procurement officers of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), deceived the Doha-based Ascend Group into transferring funds as a prerequisite for a fictitious $120 million contract. This contract purportedly aimed to construct five technical schools in various Ugandan locations.
Meetings between the fraudsters and investors, along with the signing of a fake contract agreement, reportedly took place within the precincts of Parliament. The matter is now under investigation by State House’s Anti-Corruption team, according to Ms. Florah Kiconco, Head of State House’s Legal desk.
The scam began with an email sent to Ascend Group by an individual claiming to be a sourcing company manager in Kampala. Subsequent emails introduced a communications director from the NRM Procurement Committee, falsely legitimizing the scheme.
Further complicating matters, Mr. David Mugabe, posing as the chairman of the NRM Procurement and Disposal Unit, urged Ascend Group to register a local company in Uganda. Funds were then transferred to facilitate this registration and secure the fake contract.
Upon the Qatari firm’s registration in Uganda, its CEO, Mr. Souhel Imtiaz Khan, visited Uganda to finalize the deal. Meetings were arranged with government officials, including a former cabinet minister, at prestigious locations like the Sheraton Hotel and Parliament.
Ultimately, a counterfeit contract agreement was signed within Parliament premises, stipulating a substantial cash performance security deposit. Despite red flags raised by the unconventional payment methods, Ascend Group remitted funds to various bank accounts as requested.
The fraudsters’ demands continued, requesting additional payments for processing certificates and anti-money laundering procedures. When Ascend Group failed to comply, communication ceased, prompting the firm to seek assistance from Uganda’s mission in Qatar and eventually from the Office of the President.
State House’s Anti-Corruption Unit is actively investigating the matter, as confirmed by spokesperson Ms. Natasha Mariam Oduka. However, details of the investigation’s progress remain undisclosed at this time. Meanwhile, efforts to contact the alleged fraudsters have been unsuccessful, with their phone numbers either inactive or unlisted.
Uganda has gained reputation of promoting Corruption in the parliament. The president has to take the swift action on the fraudsters