Ugandan Man Remanded for Defrauding UPDF Officer in $61,900 Dubai Deal

Buganda Road Court has remanded a 28-year-old Ugandan man, Christopher Oscar Kato, to Luzira Prison over allegations of defrauding a senior Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officer of more than $61,900 (approximately UGX 200 million) in a failed property investment deal in Dubai.

Kato, a resident of Lamtara 1 in Jumeirah, Dubai, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi on Friday and was charged with one count of cheating.

Prosecution alleges that Kato received the money from Colonel Fred Zakye, a UPDF defence attaché based in Ethiopia, under the pretext of purchasing two rental apartment units 204 and 205 in Lamtara 1, Dubai, on Zakye’s behalf.

The arrangement reportedly included a promise from Kato to manage the properties and remit rental income regularly.

Zakye transferred the funds to Kato’s Emirates NBD bank account in line with this agreement. Although the properties were reportedly acquired, court documents indicate that Kato failed to remit the expected returns transparently.

Zakye allegedly received only $32,000 in total, split into two partial payments of $20,000 in March 2023 and $12,000 in July 2023.

Thereafter, several attempts to reach Kato went unanswered, prompting Zakye to file a police complaint on August 16, 2024.

In court, Kato denied the charges. His lawyer, Soriea Jessa, informed the court of their intention to apply for bail.

However, the defense team had not yet submitted the necessary documentation via the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECMIS), which is now mandatory for all bail applications.

Magistrate Kayizzi advised the defense to properly organize and submit the required paperwork and to present more credible sureties, noting that the court exercises heightened scrutiny in granting bail to individuals who reside outside Uganda.

The prosecution, led by Senior State Attorney Kyazze, requested an adjournment, citing ongoing investigations into the matter.

Kato was remanded until June 4, 2025, when the case will return to court for further mention.

The proceedings have attracted attention due to the cross-border nature of the case, which highlights the legal and financial risks associated with international property investments involving Ugandan nationals living abroad.