Equity Bank Fraud : Former Airtel Staff Detained

On Thursday evening, police detectives apprehended two former Airtel Uganda employees, Godfrey Mukwaya and Robert Mugumya, and detained them at Kampala Central Police Station (CPS). The duo faces charges related to financial fraud, according to law enforcement officials. Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango confirmed the arrests, stating that the suspects are being held at CPS while investigations are ongoing. He further mentioned that the individuals have been charged with causing financial losses to the bank. “I can confirm that the two men are in our custody, but I will not provide details to avoid compromising the investigations,” he stated in an interview.

Detectives disclosed that Mukwaya, a former sales manager at Airtel Uganda, utilized various individuals to open bank accounts, resulting in a fraud amounting to more than Shs10 billion. Mugumya, on the other hand, is allegedly linked to 179 fictitious companies used to defraud Equity Bank of over Shs35 billion. Information from YouTube channels suggests that Mugumya is the owner of the Stab group of companies, which includes mobile money outlets, mobile banking, hotels, and a hospital.

The arrest of Mugumya and Mukwaya brings the total number of individuals detained for fraud related to unsecured loans by unqualified persons to seven. Last month, a group of five people, including Equity Bank employees, were remanded over accusations of money laundering involving the disbursement of Shs62 billion in unsecured loans to unqualified individuals. They were charged with obtaining credit by false pretense, money laundering, and conspiracy to defraud. Among those remanded were Julius Musiime, head of Agency Banking at Equity Bank, Erina Nabisubi, a relationship manager for telecom, Fred Semwogerere, Tumuhimbise Crescent Tibarwesereka, and Wycliff Asiimwe. The prosecution alleges that the individuals conspired to defraud Equity Bank of Shs62 billion by fraudulently disbursing unsecured loans to unqualified persons between 2021 and 2024 in different locations in Kampala and Wakiso districts.