Ugandan TikTok personality Issa Muwonge, popularly known as Katwalo, has been remanded to Luzira Prison after being charged with obtaining money by false pretence in connection with an alleged $85,300 gold deal.
Muwonge, 49, appeared before City Hall Court Senior Principal Grade One Magistrate Nicholas Aisu on Wednesday, where the charge was read to him. He denied the allegation and pleaded not guilty.
The case centres on a foreign national who allegedly paid a total of $85,300 after being promised seven kilograms of gold for export to Dubai, according to the charge sheet.
State prosecutor Miriam Akite told court that police investigations had been completed and requested that the matter be given a hearing date. She also informed the court that the complainant had been granted an additional two weeks to remain in Uganda to facilitate the proceedings.
Magistrate Aisu subsequently remanded Muwonge to Luzira Prison until September 21, 2026, when he is expected to return to court.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offence occurred on August 2 at the premises of Max Metal Refinery in Bukoto, Kampala Central Division. Muwonge and other suspects who are still at large are accused of obtaining $85,300 from foreign national Mahomed Farouk Malida after allegedly representing that seven kilograms of gold would be exported to Dubai.
Court documents state that Malida arrived in Uganda on August 1 through Entebbe International Airport and was picked up by Mahad Asiimwe, identified as the director of Max Metal Refinery Limited.
The complainant had reportedly found the company online before travelling to Uganda and subsequently verified its legal status through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and its registration with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau.
The following day, Malida was allegedly taken to the refinery, where he signed a sales and purchase agreement for seven kilograms of gold. The prosecution alleges that the gold was smelted in his presence, with Muwonge participating as one of the sellers.
Malida reportedly paid $20,700 in cash, while another $64,600 was transferred through a USDT cryptocurrency wallet, bringing the alleged payment to $85,300.
According to the prosecution, Malida was assured that the gold would be air-freighted to Dubai within three days.
But after travelling to the United Arab Emirates, he allegedly did not receive the consignment. Prosecutors further allege that he was subsequently asked for additional money and subjected to further representations that they describe as false.
The matter was later reported to police, with Muwonge and Asiimwe named as the primary recipients of the money.
For now, Muwonge remains in custody pending his next court appearance on September 21. The allegations against him have not been proven in court, and his not-guilty plea remains on record.