Four Indians admit stealing sh2.6b from Lira agro-processing company

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LIRA - Four Indian nationals have pleaded guilty to stealing over shillings 2.595 billion from an agro-processing company in Lira City, in one of the biggest corporate fraud cases to hit northern Uganda in recent years.

The men appeared before Chief Magistrate Joe Fay Adoko on Monday, August 25, 2025, and admitted to both theft and electronic fraud. They apologised for their actions and pledged to refund the money.

The convicts are:

Patel Kochitkumar Bipinbhai (26), a resident of Lira Central

Amit Rameshbhai Vaghusiya (43)

Patel Shivam (25)

Jit Patel (25)

All residents of MMP Agro Industries Quarters in Odokomit, Lira City West Division.

The Charges

The group was jointly charged with:

Theft, contrary to Sections 237(1) and 244 of the Penal Code Act.

Electronic fraud, contrary to Section 19 of the Computer Misuse Act.

Prosecution alleged that between 2023 and August 20, 2025, at MMP Agro Industries Limited in Odokomit, the accused stole shillings 2,594,556,400 from the company.

In the second count, they were accused of fraudulently altering digital entries at the company’s weighbridge station, inflating truck weights so that suppliers were overpaid, then pocketing the difference.

State prosecutor Joel Magara told court that while working at MMP Agro Industries, the four colluded with suppliers. After the trucks were weighed, they manipulated the figures in the computer system. When the company paid out inflated sums, the extra cash was secretly returned to the accused, who then shared the proceeds.

Discovery of the scam

The scam was discovered after managers noticed discrepancies and reported the matter to the Police, leading to the arrests.

Proceedings were conducted with the help of an interpreter translating between Gujarati and English. The accused admitted the facts as presented and were accordingly convicted on both counts.

The State Attorney reminded the court that the offences carry a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment for theft and 15 years or a fine of sh7.2 million for electronic fraud.



“These crimes are rampant in the business community. The company suffered great loss due to the convicts’ actions. There is a need to deter such offences and ensure the victims are compensated,” Magara submitted, urging a custodial sentence.



Plea for Mercy

Each of the convicts pleaded for leniency, promising never to reoffend. They told court they were willing to negotiate with their employer and refund the entire sum.



A company representative present in court said their main interest was recovering the stolen money.



Awaiting Sentence

Chief Magistrate Adoko remanded the four until September 4, 2025, when they will return to court for sentencing. He said the period would allow him to consider the submissions of the prosecution, the pleas of the convicts, and the position of the company before making his ruling.



If handed the maximum punishment, the men could each face up to 15 years in prison—but their pledge to repay the stolen billions may weigh heavily in court’s decision.