A tour and travel agent has been charged before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court with obtaining money by false pretence after allegedly defrauding a client of Shs27 million in a purported job placement deal in Canada.
On Monday, 36-year-old Faridah Nabirumbi Lubega appeared before Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi, who read her the charge under Section 285 of the Penal Code Act. She denied the offence.
According to prosecution, Nabirumbi who works with a tour and travel company allegedly received the money between December 2022 and April 2024 at Karibu Restaurant in Kampala’s Central Division.
Uganda loses more than Shs3.6 trillion to fraud annually, experts say
She reportedly convinced the complainant, Hassan Sseruuma, that she could process his travel documents and secure him employment abroad.
In court, Nabirumbi acknowledged knowing the complainant, stating that she had previously handled paperwork for him.
She told the magistrate that the documents indicated “the complainant was a Congolese who was a refugee who wanted to join the camp.”
State Attorney Grace Amy, representing the prosecution, informed the court that investigations were fully completed.
“The inquiries are complete,” she said.
Magistrate Kayizzi remanded Nabirumbi until November 19, when her bail application will be heard.
Prosecution alleges that on December 30, 2022, Sseruuma, accompanied by a friend identified as Moses, met Nabirumbi at Karibu Restaurant opposite Post Bank along Kampala Road.
During the meeting, Nabirumbi is said to have persuaded him to raise Shs27 million to process his travel and secure a job opportunity in Canada.
Sseruuma reportedly paid the money in installments both in cash and through mobile money using the number 0752585424, which prosecution links to Nabirumbi.
She is said to have acknowledged receiving the total amount.
However, the complainant later reported that the promised job and travel documents never materialised, prompting him to file a complaint with police.
