Businessman Gerald Ngabirano, a resident of Nankuwade, Bulenga, Wakiso District, has been remanded after allegedly forging legal documents to unlawfully withdraw over Shs 689 million from a dfcu bank account belonging to another businessman, Stephen Karekezi.

According to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, Ngabirano and his accomplices who remain at large are accused of forgery and fraud after allegedly fabricating a national identity card and a memorandum of understanding on January 26, 2025, in Kabale District. The fake documents falsely claimed that Karekezi had taken an Shs 800 million loan from them.

Ngabirano reportedly presented these forged documents to the Kabale High Court, where Deputy Registrar Kenneth Tumwebaze issued a court order instructing dfcu bank to allow the withdrawal of funds from Karekezi’s account. Believing the documents to be genuine, the bank complied, enabling Ngabirano to access the money.

Karekezi later realized the fraud and lodged a complaint with the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, prompting an investigation that led to Ngabirano’s arrest. On Friday, February 28, 2025, authorities transported him from Kampala to Kabale, where he was formally charged before the Kabale Chief Magistrate’s Court.

Ngabirano faces four charges, including: Forgery of an official document  contrary to Section 326 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 128,General forgery contrary to Sections 319, 322(a), and 324 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 128  and Uttering false documents  contrary to Sections 328 and 324 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 128.

Despite the serious accusations, Ngabirano pleaded not guilty to all charges. Julie Nanjunju, the Kabale Senior Resident State Attorney, requested a case adjournment, citing ongoing investigations. As a result, Magistrate Derrick Byamugisha remanded Ngabirano to Ndorwa Government Prison until March 4, 2025.

Speaking on the matter, Mariam Natasha, spokesperson for the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, confirmed that Ngabirano’s fraudulent scheme resulted in significant financial loss for Karekezi. She also disclosed that authorities are investigating the court registrar who issued the garnishee order, warning that legal action could be taken if evidence of complicity is found.

Authorities continue to search for Ngabirano’s accomplices as investigations into the high-profile fraud case proceed.