How Ugandan politician ended up in Botswana jail

Former Bubulo MP Tony Kipoi Nsubuga may have tried many businesses and may have been successful in many countries he operated from, he ran out of his luck in Botswana.

He has been accused of treason and fraud back in Uganda, but the swindling of P290,000 (about sh111m) in Botswana, where he posed as a traditional doctor, led him to jail. He faces four counts of obtaining money by false pretence.

Kipoi during elections campaigns in 2011 in Bubulo

Kipoi promised his victims that he would give them a spell to get marriage partners or increase their wealth, operating in the village of Molepolole. He claimed to possess magical powers to multiply money and cast spells for people to get marriage partners and jobs.

 Kipoi (right) arriving at the High Court in Kampala 2013

 

His luck ran out when some of his victims went to Police. He appeared in court on Tuesday and was remanded as investigations go on. The authorities believe there are other victims he defrauded who are yet to come up.

Under the Penal Code Act of Botswana, a person found guilty of either false pretense or obtaining anything by false pretense is liable to imprisonment for a period not exceeding seven years.

The former MP has been involved in drug trafficking and has theft cases hanging around his neck in South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In 2012, he was charged with treason and the following year, he was charged with car theft, but he fled to the DR Congo shortly after, and government was unable to extradite him.

He lost his Parliamentary seat in 2014 following his long absence. The rules dictate that an MP can be thrown out if he misses 15 sittings without informing the Speaker, or giving a good reason.