KAMPALA, Uganda — Three men, including a city lawyer, were remanded to Kitalya prison Wednesday on charges of money laundering related to a bogus gold deal.
City lawyer Simon Peter Musangala and businessmen Martin Bwayo, alias Captain Bob, and Enock Katwesigye, alias Colonel Frank, appeared before Anti-Corruption Court Grade One Magistrate Abert Asiimwe.
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Asiimwe charged them with money laundering, facilitating money laundering and cheating. He said the court lacks jurisdiction to try money laundering offenses and advised them to plead to the charges in High Court.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the offense of cheating. Asiimwe advised them to apply for bail in High Court.
Prosecutor David Mugamba said investigations are ongoing. Defense lawyers, led by Caleb Alaka, protested the decision to arraign their clients before investigations are complete.
Alaka cited a promise by Director of Public Prosecutions Justice Jane Frances Abodo not to arraign anyone without completing investigations. He asked the court to direct the DPP to expedite investigations and disclose evidence.
Asiimwe said the case is of public interest due to the large sums of money involved. He directed the prosecution to expedite investigations and remanded the accused to Kitalya prison until March 3.
According to the Uganda Police spokesperson, Charles Twine, the accused got in touch with the victim, American national Anastasia Belesis, through a Kenya-based friend. Belesis was searching for gold, and the accused claimed to be trading gold through their firm, Balaka Gold Minerals Limited.
Police allege that upon Belesis’ arrival in Uganda, the accused asked him to pay $5 million to process a gold operating license. Belesis paid the suspects an initial deposit of $1.5 million and later $8 million to buy gold through their company.
The suspects were arrested about two weeks ago after Belesis reported the matter to the police.
