Overview:
The accused are Solomon Mugisha alias Nelson, 33, a businessman; Enock Mpanga Kazige, 34, a farmer; Kateraga Benedicto, 35; Kiyimba Faruk, 30, a farmer; Oketch Gerard, 31, a supporting engineer at Medix Ltd and Uber driver; and Katamba Isma, a businessman.
Six Ugandans accused of orchestrating a cross-border electronic fraud scheme involving more than Shs4.9 billion have been charged and remanded to prison as investigations continue.
The suspects appeared before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where proceedings were adjourned to allow the State to complete its inquiries and verify bail documents. They are facing a charge of electronic fraud contrary to Section 18 (1) and (2) of the Computer Misuse Act.
The accused are Solomon Mugisha alias Nelson, 33, a businessman; Enock Mpanga Kazige, 34, a farmer; Kateraga Benedicto, 35; Kiyimba Faruk, 30, a farmer; Oketch Gerard, 31, a supporting engineer at Medix Ltd and Uber driver; and Katamba Isma, a businessman.
Prosecution, led by Grace Amy, told the court that inquiries into the case were still ongoing and requested more time before the matter could proceed. “Your Worship, inquiries in this matter are still ongoing. We pray for an adjournment to complete the inquiries,” she submitted.
The defence indicated that they had instructions to apply for bail on behalf of the accused. “We have instructions to apply for bail,” the lawyers said. The State asked that it be formally served with the applications, particularly for Faruk, so that surety documents could be verified.
During the session, Kateraga Benedicto, through his lawyers, presented two sureties—David Kasaga, his uncle, and Ivan Sebuliba, a friend—to support his bail application. The defence requested that the court find the sureties substantial and grant bail, noting that the offence is bailable.
The magistrate, however, did not immediately rule on the application. She directed that more time be allowed for verification of documents and proper filing by all parties. The matter was adjourned to April 13, with instructions that the other accused file their bail applications electronically through ECCMIS.
According to the charge sheet, the six suspects, together with others still at large, allegedly committed the offence between February 14 and February 18, 2026, at various locations in Kigali, Rwanda, and Kampala, Uganda. Prosecutors allege that the group, using computers and deception, manipulated the banking system of Equity Bank Kigali, securing an unlawful financial gain of 4.9 billion Rwandan francs.
The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.