Three suspects have been arraigned before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court on charges of electronic fraud, obtaining money by false pretenses, uttering false documents, forgery, and conspiracy to commit a felony. The case was brought forward by the Anti-Corruption Directorate (ACD) in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID1) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
The accused are Dr. Mulyansaka Charles, also known as Dr. Muo Dickens, alleged director of Pigeon Growers Uganda Ltd; Drake Twebaze, alias Dr. Karuhanga John, a purported representative of the Ministry of Works; and Watum Peter, another alleged Ministry representative. All three are accused of duping a South African investor out of a large sum of money.
Between June 2023 and July 2025, the accused allegedly obtained USD 416,000 from Justine Stocks, the director of M/s TMA Africa Limited, under the false claim that they could secure a government contract. The investment was supposedly for supplying AdBlue chemicals to the Ministry of Works and Transport and for constructing an AdBlue chemical plant in Uganda.
Dr. Mulyansaka allegedly used the false identity of Dr. Muo Dickens to contact the South African investor through WhatsApp. He claimed to be a sourcing agent seeking suppliers of AdBlue chemicals for the Ministry and invited the investor to Uganda for meetings at private facilities, which he presented as Ministry offices.
During these meetings, the accused introduced Drake Twebaze and Watum Peter as Ministry representatives. They told the investor that to secure the contract, he would need to establish a local company. They also recommended that he use the services of Bloom Advocates, a law firm, to manage the setup process.
The investor was persuaded to pay a total of USD 416,000 in installments into Bloom Advocates’ accounts. The accused told him that these funds would cover prequalification fees, performance security, bank charges, tax certificates, registration fees, and other expenses.
The alleged scam involved elaborate planning and impersonation, including falsifying documents and creating the illusion of official government involvement. Investigators say this shows a high level of coordination among the three accused.
Following their arrest, Dr. Mulyansaka Charles and Watum Peter have been remanded to continue facing charges in court. They are scheduled for mention on 4th November, while investigations continue.
The case has raised concerns about investor protection and the risks of fraud in international business dealings. Authorities have warned the public to exercise caution when approached with deals that involve government contracts and to verify identities before transferring funds.
The Anti-Corruption Directorate and partner agencies have promised to follow up on all leads to ensure that justice is served and that similar fraudulent schemes are prevented in the future. This case serves as a reminder that both domestic and foreign investors must remain vigilant against scams that exploit trust in government procedures.
