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British court convicts Bad Black's ex of arms trafficking
Bad Black was convicted in July 2012 by the Anti-Corruption Court for embezzling sh11 billion from Daveshan Development Company Limited, a real estate firm she allegedly co-owned with her former lover and business partner, Greenhalgh.
Shanita Namuyimbwa popularly known as Bad Black chats with her former lover David Greenhalgh before testifying against Meddie Ssentongo in the Commercial Court on June 25, 2014. (Photo by Nicholas Oneal)
By: Edward Anyoli, Journalist @New Vision
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A British national once regarded in Uganda’s business circles as a high-profile investor has been found guilty in the United Kingdom (UK) of running an international arms trafficking operation.
David Greenhalgh, 68, was a key witness in the high-profile embezzlement case involving a Ugandan socialite, Shanita Namuyimba, popularly known as Bad Black.
Bad Black was convicted in July 2012 by the Anti-Corruption Court for embezzling sh11 billion from Daveshan Development Company Limited, a real estate firm she allegedly co-owned with her former lover and business partner, Greenhalgh.
On Thursday, June 11, 2026, Greenhalgh was convicted by Southwark Crown Court in London over his role in a secretive global network in which he is accused of brokering illegal weapons shipments into some of the world’s most volatile conflict zones.
Greenhalgh was found guilty of eight counts of illegal arms trafficking under the Export Control Order 2008. This was after a trial that began on April 7, 2026, at Southwark Crown Court. He was convicted alongside Christos Farmakis, 48, a Greek national who was tried in his absence and was found guilty of a further count related to similar crimes.
According to Southwark Crown Court proceedings, Greenhalgh and his co-accused Farmakis operated across multiple transactions in different areas between 2009 and 2016, allegedly sourcing military hardware from former Soviet and Eastern European states and attempting to channel it to Libya, South Sudan, Sudan, Iraq and Iran.
Court heard that the operation involved negotiations for an arsenal of weapons, including surface-to-air missile systems, combat helicopters, battle tanks, anti-tank missile launchers, rocket-propelled grenades, fighter jets, and tens of thousands of AK-47 rifles with millions of rounds of ammunition.
“These convictions are a clear warning to others that you will face justice for breaching the UK’s strict controls and brokering illegal supplies to sanctioned and embargoed destinations.
“Effective controls and enforcement of the licensing regime contribute to the UK’s national security. It is a priority for the UK Government and will pursue those who try to circumvent it,” court ruled.
Greenhalgh was found guilty of eight counts of illegal arms trafficking under the Export Control Order 2008. This was after a trial that began on April 7, 2026, at Southwark Crown Court. He was convicted alongside Christos Farmakis, 48, a Greek national who was tried in his absence and was found guilty of a further count related to similar crimes.
According to Southwark Crown Court proceedings, Greenhalgh and his co-accused Farmakis operated across multiple transactions in different areas between 2009 and 2016, allegedly sourcing military hardware from former Soviet and Eastern European states and attempting to channel it to Libya, South Sudan, Sudan, Iraq and Iran.
Shanita Namuyimbwa popularly known as Bad Black reading a document with her former lover David Greenhalgh before testifying against Meddie Ssentongo in the Commercial Court on June 25, 2014. (Photo by Nicholas Oneal)
Court heard that the operation involved negotiations for an arsenal of weapons, including surface-to-air missile systems, combat helicopters, battle tanks, anti-tank missile launchers, rocket-propelled grenades, fighter jets, and tens of thousands of AK-47 rifles with millions of rounds of ammunition.
“These convictions are a clear warning to others that you will face justice for breaching the UK’s strict controls and brokering illegal supplies to sanctioned and embargoed destinations.
“Effective controls and enforcement of the licensing regime contribute to the UK’s national security. It is a priority for the UK Government and will pursue those who try to circumvent it,” court ruled.
Former convict reacts to Greenhalgh conviction
In a telephone interview on Friday, Meddie Ssentongo, a businessman previously convicted alongside Bad Black over the embezzlement case, said the London case should serve as a reminder for Greenhalgh to act responsibly at all times.
Prosecution’s case
Prosecution said the network relied on deception and deliberate concealment, including falsified end-user certificates, altered shipping documentation, and the use of third countries to disguise the true destination of the weapons.
Emails presented in court allegedly showed the convicts openly discussing ways to evade UK export controls, with one document described as a “blueprint for bypassing sanctions and licensing laws.”
Greenhalgh was convicted on multiple counts under the UK Export Control Order 2008 following a trial at Southwark Crown Court, while his co-accused, Greek national Christos Farmakis, was also found guilty on related charges. They are awaiting sentencing scheduled on July 22, 2026.
Court document further shows that at the time of the offences, Greenhalgh was the controlling director of the Airservices group of companies, operating across the UK, Greece, Macedonia, Hong Kong and South Sudan. Prosecutors said he used this international corporate footprint to mask what he referred to in correspondence as “sensitive projects.”
Farmakis, a London-based business adviser, was also linked to a Cyprus-registered firm allegedly used to facilitate negotiations for controlled military goods.
In a telephone interview on Friday, Meddie Ssentongo, a businessman previously convicted alongside Bad Black over the embezzlement case, said the London case should serve as a reminder for Greenhalgh to act responsibly at all times.
Prosecution’s case
Prosecution said the network relied on deception and deliberate concealment, including falsified end-user certificates, altered shipping documentation, and the use of third countries to disguise the true destination of the weapons.
Emails presented in court allegedly showed the convicts openly discussing ways to evade UK export controls, with one document described as a “blueprint for bypassing sanctions and licensing laws.”
Greenhalgh was convicted on multiple counts under the UK Export Control Order 2008 following a trial at Southwark Crown Court, while his co-accused, Greek national Christos Farmakis, was also found guilty on related charges. They are awaiting sentencing scheduled on July 22, 2026.
Court document further shows that at the time of the offences, Greenhalgh was the controlling director of the Airservices group of companies, operating across the UK, Greece, Macedonia, Hong Kong and South Sudan. Prosecutors said he used this international corporate footprint to mask what he referred to in correspondence as “sensitive projects.”
Farmakis, a London-based business adviser, was also linked to a Cyprus-registered firm allegedly used to facilitate negotiations for controlled military goods.