Businessman Gerald Ngabirano, a resident of Nankuwadde, Bulenga in Wakiso District, was remanded to prison after allegedly forging legal documents to unlawfully withdraw more than Shs689 million from a DFCU Bank account belonging to fellow businessman, Stephen Karekezi.
According to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, Ngabirano—along with accomplices still at large—is accused of forgery and fraud stemming from a scheme in which he allegedly fabricated a national identity card and a memorandum of understanding.
The fake documents, dated January 26, 2025, were created in Kabale District and falsely claimed that Karekezi had received an Shs800 million loan from the accused.
Ngabirano allegedly presented the forged documents to the Kabale High Court. Believing them to be authentic, Deputy Registrar Kenneth Tumwebaze issued a court order instructing DFCU Bank to allow the withdrawal of funds from Karekezi’s account. Acting on the order, the bank released the money, resulting in a significant financial loss.
Karekezi later uncovered the fraudulent transaction and reported the matter to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, triggering an investigation. On Friday, February 28, 2025, Ngabirano was arrested in Kampala and transported to Kabale, where he was formally charged before the Kabale Chief Magistrate’s Court.
Ngabirano now faces four charges:
- Forgery of an official document, contrary to Section 326 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 120
- General forgery, contrary to Sections 319, 322(a), and 324 of the Penal Code Act
- Uttering false documents, contrary to Sections 328 and 324 of the Penal Code Act
Despite the seriousness of the accusations, Ngabirano pleaded not guilty to all charges. Kabale Senior Resident State Attorney Julie Nanjunju requested an adjournment, citing ongoing investigations. Chief Magistrate Derrick Byamugisha remanded Ngabirano to Ndorwa Government Prison until March 4, 2025.
Mariam Natasha, spokesperson for the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, confirmed that the fraudulent scheme resulted in substantial financial loss for Karekezi. She also revealed that the registrar who issued the garnishee order is under investigation, and warned that legal action may follow if evidence of misconduct emerges.
Meanwhile, authorities are still pursuing Ngabirano’s accomplices as investigations into the high-profile fraud case continue.
