Uganda’s Deputy Mufti, Muhammad Haruna Bukenya, faces criminal summons at Kampala City Hall Court over an alleged $288,000 gold scam. The case involves claims of obtaining money by false pretenses and conspiracy, with proceedings adjourned to November 25, 2026.
A high-profile legal dispute centers on an alleged $288,000 (about Shs1 billion) transaction involving three kilogrammes of gold. Kampala City Hall Court issued criminal summons requiring Uganda’s Second Deputy Mufti, Sheikh Muhammad Haruna Bukenya, to appear and answer charges. Senior Grade One Magistrate Edgar Karakire issued the order after the prosecution requested his attendance for the next hearing.
The case pairs the senior religious leader with businessman Muzamiru Elias Lubega, who is listed as the first accused in the charge sheet. Lubega, a 53-year-old resident of Kasengejje in Wakiso District, previously appeared in court and secured bail. Bukenya, 55, resides in Kawuku, Entebbe Municipality, and deputies Mufti Shaban Mubaje while running a Quran memorization school.
Men Face Charges for Gold Scam in Kampala
Prosecutors state that the accused individuals, alongside others still at large, obtained $288,000 from Muhammad Kwaido on August 6, 2026, in Kampala. The complaint alleges the funds were handed over under the false pretext of selling three kilogrammes of gold. Both men face charges of obtaining money by false pretence and conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence under Sections 285 and 363 of the Penal Code Act.
During court proceedings, state prosecutor Miriam Akite informed the magistrate that the prosecution could not fulfill defense requests for case disclosures. She explained that the file had been called by the Director of Public Prosecutions following a complaint lodged by the Deputy Mufti himself.
We cannot disclose because the Mufti lodged a complaint and the file was called by the DPP.
Ms Miriam Akite, State Prosecutor
The Nigerian High Commission Connection and CCTV Request
The investigative trail reaches into diplomatic quarters. According to a police statement filed by Muhammad Ibrahim Abdullahi, a Nigerian national and diplomatic officer serving as First Secretary at the Nigerian High Commission in Kampala, the allegations were based on a statement to police.
In response to the allegations, Bukenya sent a letter dated September 14, 2026, to the Nigerian Ambassador to Uganda. He asked the diplomatic mission to preserve and grant access to CCTV security recordings from August 6, arguing the footage would provide an objective account of engagements that took place on embassy grounds.
I also request your assistance in preserving and, where permissible, facilitating access to the High Commission’s CCTV/security footage for the relevant date and time.
Sheikh Muhammad Haruna Bukenya, Second Deputy Mufti
Bukenya’s letter maintains that First Secretary Abdullahi and Dr. Sadiq Adam participated in relevant stages of the engagement, including a gold-testing process and a subsequent meeting at the High Commission at approximately 5 p.m. on August 6. He also requested an urgent audience with the Ambassador to present his side, intending to attend with three other people. Independent reporting notes that it remained unclear whether the High Commission responded to the request before publication.
Lab Report Confirms Gold Purity of Samples
Physical evidence entered into the record includes a laboratory report issued by Nuran-Ventures Limited on August 6, 2026. The testing document shows that Muhammad Ibrahim Abdullahi submitted three gold bars weighing a total of three kilogrammes. The facility recorded an average gold content of 99.36 percent, equivalent to 24 karats. However, the report explicitly noted that its findings applied only to the specific samples received and do not necessarily apply to other material from the same source.
Investigators also face questions regarding the financial trail.
Court Adjournment to November 25
Magistrate Karakire granted the prosecution’s request to compel the Deputy Mufti’s appearance. The court formally ordered that criminal summons are issued against the second accused, adjourning the matter forward to November 25, 2026, for mention while the case file undergoes review by the Director of Public Prosecutions.