Ugandan authorities have made a breakthrough in a high-profile fraud case involving a prominent diaspora investor, arresting suspect Asaph Nahurira Mulindwa following allegations of an organized scheme targeting technology education initiatives. The arrest on June 8, 2025 comes after tech entrepreneur Gloria Kamira Lukalu publicly detailed how her $250,000 investment vanished under suspicious circumstances.
Dream Investment Turns to Deception
Kamira, a Ugandan-American business leader and CEO of Exutory Africa, returned to her homeland earlier this year with ambitious plans to establish digital laboratories across Uganda. Her vision centered on preparing young citizens for emerging opportunities in the global technology sector, particularly in regions like Gulu, Arua, and Jinja. "I envisioned creating pathways for our youth to thrive in the digital economy," Kamira stated in her viral open letter that first exposed the alleged fraud.
According to investigative reports, Kamira encountered individuals claiming connections to Uganda's Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) program who presented themselves as facilitators for her project. These suspects allegedly invoked the names of influential figures including General Salim Saleh and General Muhoozi Kainerugaba to establish credibility. What began as a promising partnership soon unraveled into what Kamira describes as an "orchestrated machinery of deception" that systematically diverted approximately Shs80 million (around $21,000) intended for youth development.
Digital Trail and Wider Implications
Before his apprehension, Mulindwa had publicly documented his association with Kamira on social media. One conspicuous post detailed how he escorted the entrepreneur to a boda boda (motorcycle taxi) union retreat in Gulu, where she reportedly addressed attendees about drug abuse and domestic violence. This digital footprint has since drawn intense scrutiny as investigators examine the nature of their professional relationship.
While the direct financial loss is substantial, Kamira emphasizes the broader damage extends beyond monetary value. "They stole momentum that could have transformed communities," she lamented, highlighting how the fraud derailed job creation and training opportunities for Uganda's rapidly growing youth population. With projections indicating Uganda will have one of Africa's largest youth demographics by 2030, the case underscores critical challenges facing development initiatives.
Call for Accountability
In her emotional public statement, Kamira urged Ugandan youth to reject normalized corruption: "Demand that your leaders do better. Refuse to accept that exploitation defines us." Despite her ordeal, she encouraged fellow diaspora professionals to continue engagement with the continent, asserting that "Africa rises because of fire, not comfort."
Police sources confirm Mulindwa remains in custody while investigations continue into potential accomplices and the wider fraud network. Authorities have yet to determine whether additional arrests will follow. Notably, no official response has been issued by the Ugandan government regarding allegations involving OWC-connected individuals.
The case has ignited national conversations about investor protection mechanisms and transparency in development programs. As Uganda positions itself as an emerging technology hub, this scandal highlights vulnerabilities that could deter critical foreign investment. Financial analysts caution that such incidents risk undermining President Museveni's stated economic modernization goals, particularly in the technology sector where Uganda has shown significant potential.
Legal experts note the prosecution faces complex challenges, including potential difficulties in tracing financial flows and navigating political sensitivities. Meanwhile, civil society organizations have intensified calls for stronger safeguards to protect both local and diaspora investors seeking to contribute to Uganda's development.
