A 64-year-old Canadian national, Michel Faille, has been remanded to Luzira Prison after being arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kampala over an alleged gold scam involving $1.5 million (approximately Shs5.5 billion).
Faille appeared before Chief Magistrate Ritah Neumbe Kidasa, where the prosecution presented charges linked to the alleged fraudulent transaction. The court did not allow him to take plea on the charges at this stage, with prosecutors informing the court that investigations are still ongoing.
Chief Magistrate Kidasa subsequently ordered that Faille be remanded to Luzira Prison until August 12, 2026, when the matter will return to court for mention as investigators continue gathering evidence.
The latest case adds to a growing number of high-value gold fraud prosecutions in Uganda, where authorities have intensified efforts to crack down on criminal networks targeting foreign investors through fake gold deals. In recent months, police and anti-corruption agencies have arrested and prosecuted several suspects accused of using fraudulent gold transactions to obtain millions of dollars from international buyers.
Ugandan authorities have repeatedly urged foreign investors to conduct thorough due diligence and verify the licensing and legitimacy of companies before entering into gold transactions, warning that sophisticated fraud syndicates continue to exploit the country’s lucrative minerals trade.
The case against Michel Faille will return to court on August 12, 2026, as investigations continue.