Gerald Ngabirano, a businessman from Nankuwade in Bulenga, Wakiso district, has been remanded on charges of forgery and fraud after allegedly acquiring illicit garnishee orders that enabled him to withdraw over Shs 689 million from a dfcu bank account belonging to another businessman.
According to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, Ngabirano and others still at large, allegedly forged a national identity card and a memorandum of understanding on January 26, 2025, while in Kabale district. The fabricated documents falsely claimed that Stephen Karekezi had borrowed Shs 800 million from them.
Ngabirano then presented the forged documents and Karekezi’s dfcu bank account number before the Kabale High court. ‘Convinced’ by the documents, Kabale High court deputy registrar, Kenneth Tumwebaze issued a court order instructing dfcu to allow the withdrawal of funds from Karekezi’s account.
Karekezi later complained to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, prompting an investigation that led to Ngabirano’s arrest. On Friday, he was transported from Kampala to Kabale, where he was paraded before the Chief Magistrate’s court.
Ngabirano faces four counts, including forgery of an official document contrary to Section 326 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 128; forgery contrary to Sections 319, 322(a), and 324 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 128; and two counts of uttering false documents contrary to Sections 328 and 324 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 128.
Ngabirano pleaded not guilty to all charges. Julie Nanjunju, Kabale senior resident state attorney, requested an adjournment, stating that investigations are still ongoing. Kabale magistrate Derrick Byamugisha subsequently remanded Ngabirano to Ndorwa Government Prison until March 4, 2025.
According to Mariam Natasha, State House Anti-Corruption Unit spokesperson, Ngabirano’s fraudulent actions caused financial loss to Karekezi. She also revealed that the court registrar is under investigations and could face legal action if found complicit.
Abalaalo! But dfcu should pay the money back and they handle ngabirano