Buganda Road Magistrate’s Court has remanded South Sudan businessman Mr Lawrence Malong Lual Yor (known for posting photographs of himself lying on his bed full of dollars), and his two associates Mr Mike Okitalunyi Lota and Gavana Thaddeus Zikusooka alias James Byaruhanga, to Luzira Prison over an alleged gold deal scam worth $1.9 million (about Shs7 billion).
Ms Joan Ketty Acaa, the court magistrate read them their charges of obtaining money on false pretence, which they denied. She then remanded the suspects until April 4, 2019 for further mention of their case.
30-year-old Malon, is a South Sudan national but he has been living his lavish life at Mirano Hotel in Kabalagala, a Kampala suburb. His colleagues Mike Okitalunyi Lota and James Byaruhanga are residents of Munyonyo in Makindye Division and Kajjansi Town Council in Wakiso District respectively.
It is alleged that between February 2017 and December 2018, the three suspects conned businessman,Wegnew Desire $1.9 million (about Shs7billion) promisingto sell him 150kg of gold.
“When I paid them money for the kilogramme, they told me that the shipment was not possible for small amounts. They asked me for more money such that they can ship five kilogrammes. I flew to Dubai but while there, they called me to Uganda and they told me to give them more money such that they could sell me 150kgs,” Wegnew said.