Court denies Sudanese businessman bail in sh21.7b gold case

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The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has denied bail to a businessman accused of obtaining over shillings 21.7 billion by falsely claiming to be selling gold.

Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga declined to grant bail to Yasin Musa Abdalla, noting that the amount involved is colossal and that he is a foreign national who may not be easily traced if he absconds.

The court noted that Abdalla failed to demonstrate that he has a fixed place of abode or that he can be easily traced in the event he absconds.

“I am particularly concerned about this. The applicant is a Sundance national, with no village or home origin in Uganda to which he can be traced if he absconds. Apart from his wives, he appears to have no solid connections in Uganda, which would make it difficult to trace him if he absconds. I agreed with the respondent that the applicant did not sufficiently demonstrate that he has a fixed place of abode,” Justice Kajuga said.

It is alleged that Abdalla, between November 2024 and 2025 December in several places in Kampala central, and Wakiso district, with intent to defraud obtained $5,015,630 (sh18.5billion) from Al Noblaa General Traders LLC  by pretending that they were selling, processing and exporting 95 kilogrammes of gold Al Noblaa General Traders LLC whereas not.

In the second count, it is alleged that Abdalla and others still at large, between March and June 2025 at Kololo, in Kampala Central with intent to defraud, obtained $665,000 (about shillings 2.4 billion) from Mohamed Abdelrazig Ibrahim Elsayed by pretending that they were selling to him gold whereas not.

Prosecution led by senior state attorney from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Viola Tusingwire, said Abdalla also, between January and July 2025 in Kampala, laundered the money for purposes of concealing the illicit origin of the money to purchase a Toyota Land Cruiser ZX model 2023.

The court, while delivering its ruling on April 30, 2026, further noted that the accused did not present sureties that the court could rely on for his release on bail. Justice Kajuga observed that the discretion to grant bail rests with the court, which must evaluate whether, if released, the accused is likely to attend court proceedings.

“It is trite law that the grant of bail lies within the discretion of the court, though this discretion ought to be exercised judiciously. In determining the application, the court must evaluate all the circumstances of the case and the factors presented before it to ascertain whether the applicant, if released on bail, is likely to attend trial. Where there exists a risk of absconding, the court must further consider whether the imposition of stringent bail terms would sufficiently secure the applicant’s attendance. In the present case, the stringent conditions would be necessary. However, I am not satisfied that the applicant has presented sufficient sureties or any additional security to justify his release on bail. Accordingly, this bail application fails and is hereby dismissed,” Justice Kajuga said.