Kampala, Uganda: A Ugandan-American tech entrepreneur has accused individuals linked to the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) programme of defrauding her of over $25,000 in a sophisticated scheme that promised her a meeting with Gen Salim Saleh and high-level access to government projects.
Gloria Kamira Lukalu, the Director and Founder of Exutory Africa, returned to Uganda earlier this year with a vision to invest over $25,000 in youth innovation labs across the country. Instead, she says, she was trapped in a well-organised racket involving impersonators who leveraged names of top military and political figures to orchestrate a scam.
According to Kamira, the fraudsters invoked the names of President Museveni’s brother Gen Salim Saleh, and the First Son, also Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, plus a host of other OWC-linked officials to build trust and secure funds under the guise of helping her expand her ventures and secure strategic partnerships.
“What I encountered was not a misunderstanding. It was an orchestrated con. They stole money meant to build digital labs for young Ugandans. They stole jobs, time, and hope,” Kamira said in an open letter shared publicly through her socials and open forums.
The ordeal, Kamira says, began when she was introduced to a man identified as Eddie Ssebandeke Kiyimba, who helped her find office space and later connected her to Deborah R., an aspiring MP for Lyantonde. Deborah introduced her to Asaph Nahurira Mulindwa, who Kamira says claimed to be a police officer with ties to Gen Muhoozi.
Through this network, Kamira says she was lured into funding the MK Birthday Run, an event that allegedly promised exposure and access to high-level contacts. She paid for logistics, branding, and travel, but arrived at the venue to find no preparations, no officials, and increasing pressure to send more money.
In early May (this year), the scheme escalated when Kamira was introduced to Sylvia Owori, the Director of Operations at OWC, who allegedly promised her a personal meeting with Gen Saleh in Gulu. Kamira says she was told to send money (purportedly for meeting the Gen) to Edison Kirabira, who was introduced to her as the OWC Civil Coordinator for Kampala.
After paying the funds and flying to Gulu at her own expense, she found that Gen Saleh had reportedly travelled to DR Congo. “Sylvia postponed the meeting, and everyone vanished. I even lost personal items, including my camera and laptop charger,” Kamira narrated.
When she began to demand accountability, Kamira says she received threats, including against her children. A report was filed at Gulu Central Police Station under SD Ref. 75/10/05/2025 and is now being handled as CRB 308/2025.
Police confirmed the arrest of Asaph Nahurira, but key figures such as Owori, Kirabira, and Eddie Ssebandeke remain at large.
Reached for comment, Kirabira denied receiving any money. “She was probably conned by Asaph Nahurira. I have never received anything from her,” he told this publication.
Kamira’s lawyer, Thomas Labyem Awany of Collectica Associates Legal Consultants, confirmed the matter is under active investigation. “We are pursuing the suspects and pressing for full prosecution,” he said.
Kamira is calling for urgent action from the leadership of Operation Wealth Creation, Uganda Police, and national security agencies to not only arrest those involved but also restore investor confidence.
“This isn’t just about my stolen money, it’s about Uganda’s reputation. If names like Gen Saleh can be used to defraud investors without consequences, then our institutions are at risk,” she warned.
Despite the betrayal, Kamira says she remains committed to building digital opportunities for Ugandan youth. “If we don’t build, who will? This cancer of corruption must be named and fought,” she said.
You can read Kamira’s open letter here
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