The Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court has remanded eight individuals to Luzira Prison over the alleged theft of 6 billion Shillings from Finance Trust Bank through electronic fraud.
The accused are Travies Nakabbunge, a broker; Ernest Mulindwa, also known as Abbas, a businessman; Robert Kaweesi, a farmer; Robert Kisitu, alias “Digital,” a businessman; and Nicholas Ssekyanzi, a businessman of Rwandan nationality, all residents of Makindye-Ssabagabo in Wakiso District.
Others are Sister Kyoheirwe, a self-employed resident of Kyabukaju II Cell, Akatojo Ward in Rubaare Town Council, Ntungamo District; Doreen Nantale, also known as Vanesa, a businesswoman from Nkokonjeru in Buikwe District; and Amos Lyada, an infrastructure security analyst residing in Kirinya-Bukasa, Bweyogerere in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District.
Nantale and Lyada appeared before Chief Magistrate Ritah Neumbe Kidasa and were remanded until May 13, 2026, as investigations continue.
The other six suspects were arraigned earlier and similarly remanded.Prosecution alleges that between April 3 and April 8, 2026, the group, together with others still at large, unlawfully accessed Finance Trust Bank’s core banking system and diverted 6 billion Shillings to 53 MTN Mobile Money accounts and 80 Airtel Mobile Money accounts in a coordinated scheme.
The suspects face three charges: electronic fraud under Section 19 of the Computer Misuse Act, theft under Sections 236 and 237 of the Penal Code Act, and conspiracy to commit a felony under Section 363 of the Penal Code Act. All the accused have denied the charges.
State Attorney Grace Amy told the court that investigations are ongoing, with efforts underway to apprehend more suspects linked to the alleged fraud.
The case adds to a growing number of high-value electronic fraud incidents before Ugandan courts.In October 2025, four individuals, including a Rwandan national, were remanded to Luzira Prison over the attempted theft of 725 million Shillings from a Stanbic Bank account belonging to Enid Kukunda. One of the accused, Elizabeth Mbabazi, has since been convicted.
The others are Joel Mucunguzi, Faridah Kobusingye, and Flower Njawuzi, also known as Florence Mega Kanywani.In the same month, a boda boda rider, George Byaruhanga, was remanded over allegations of defrauding Centenary Bank of 332 million Shillings through impersonation and electronic fraud.
The court heard that Byaruhanga allegedly used a forged national identity card to impersonate Ronald Kintu, enabling him to register on the bank’s biometric system, obtain a Visa card, and withdraw 50 million Shillings over the counter.
He is further accused of transferring 250 million Shillings to an Exim Bank account and withdrawing an additional 32.2 million Shillings through agent banking using falsified documents.
Earlier, in October 2024, six individuals were charged at the same court with the theft of 1 billion Shillings from Centenary Bank’s Mapeera Branch in Kampala.
They include Simei Rutinampola, a banking agent; Newton Ayesiga, a businessman; Idris Kasozi, an agent banker; Shafiq Mugulo, a businessman; Fred Byabasaija, an electrician; and Farouk Kiyemba, a self-employed individual.
According to the prosecution, Ayesiga allegedly received 250 million Shillings, Kasozi 350 million Shillings, Mugulo 100 million Shillings, Byabasaija 200 million Shillings, and Kiyemba 100 million Shillings, all reportedly diverted through various accounts linked to the fraudulent scheme. URN