KAMPALA, UGANDA: Six Ugandan nationals have been charged and remanded to prison over their alleged role in a cross-border electronic fraud scheme involving more than Shs12.6 billion, targeting Equity Bank in Rwanda.
The suspects appeared before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Ritah Neumbe Kidasa on Monday, facing charges of electronic fraud contrary to Section 18(1) and (2) of the Computer Misuse Act.
They include businessman Solomon Mugisha alias Nelson (33), farmer Enock Mpanga Kazige (34), Benedicto Kateraga (35), farmer Faruk Kiyimba (30), Gerard Oketch (31), a support engineer at Medix Ltd, and Katamba Isma, an Uber driver and businessman.
Prosecution led by State Attorney Grace Amy told court that investigations into the matter are still ongoing and requested more time before the case proceeds.
According to the charge sheet, the accused, together with others still at large, allegedly orchestrated the fraud between February 14 and February 18, 2026, in Kigali, Rwanda, and Kampala, Uganda.
It is alleged that the group used computer systems to manipulate the banking infrastructure of Equity Bank Kigali, fraudulently obtaining approximately Rwanda francs 4.9 billion.
“The accused persons, by means of deception, manipulated the banking system and secured unlawful financial gain,” the prosecution states.
Defence lawyers indicated their intention to apply for bail, prompting the State to request time to verify the submitted documents.
“I ask the lawyer for Faruq to serve me with his bail application. I also seek time to verify documents of the sureties,” Ms Amy told court.
One of the accused, Benedicto Kateraga, presented two sureties, his uncle David Kasaga and a friend Ivan Sebuliba, in support of his bail application. “We pray that the court finds the sureties substantial and grants him bail since the offence is bailable,” the defence submitted.
However, Chief Magistrate Kidasa deferred ruling on the bail applications, directing that all documentation be properly filed and verified. “The matter is adjourned to April 13. Other suspects should upload their bail documents on ECCMIS,” she ruled.
All six accused were remanded as investigations continue.
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