Kenyan national remanded in Uganda over bogus gold deal

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A Kenyan national was Friday (October 17) charged before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court with obtaining money by false presence and conspiracy to commit a felony.

The accused is Elizabeth Esther Steenkamp, who is also the managing director of Washa Lidjiwe Investments Limited.

Steenkamp was arrested by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU), working jointly with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public of Prosecution (ODPP).

Elizabeth Esther Steenkamp (extreme end in a black hoodie) a Kenyan national, and Managing Director of Washa Lidjiwe Investments Limited was charged before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court. (Courtesy photo)

In a statement, SHACU said she had been remanded until October 28, 2025.

The state alleges that Steenkamp and others still at large conspired to defraud American businessman Vladimir Toussaint Yvens of 255,650 US dollars under the pretext that they would facilitate the export of 46 kilogrammes of gold from Kampala to New York, USA.

This was between June and August 2025, at Plot 244 Bemba Road, Munyonyo, Makindye Division in Kampala.

They allegedly convinced the investor to remit the funds, claiming it was necessary to cover declaration fees, government royalties, and documentation for the gold export.

However, despite receiving the funds, the gold was reportedly never exported, and the suspects reportedly ceased all communication with the investor.

On their website, Washa Lidjiwe Investments Limited says they are a registered Ugandan company dedicated to the gold trade, with headquarters located at Plot 4, Kamya Close, Kansanga, Makindye Division East, Kampala.