He Should Be Rearrested!! Ugandans Demand As Top Kampala Scammer Yasin Nyando Gets Released Without Justice Serviced

This paper explores a case of fraud in Uganda involving Mr. Yasin Nyando, who operates a fraudulent clearing agency. Mr. Nyando is accused of scamming Mr. Solomon Ghebrehiwet, a foreign investor, out of 17 Million after promising to clear his trucks. He held back his truck documents which made the trucks to miss three weeks contract.

When Mr. Ghebrehiwet requested a refund, Nyando responded with cyber threats, verbal harassment, and the withholding of crucial documents.

Despite escalating the matter to various authorities, including senior government officials and the police, no substantial action was taken. Nyando was briefly detained but released soon after, highlighting concerns about corruption and inefficiency within Uganda’s law enforcement system. This case raises significant issues regarding the treatment of foreign investors and the failures in addressing fraud and cybercrime in Uganda.

Fraud and cybercrime have been on the rise in Uganda, posing serious challenges for both local and foreign investors. This paper examines the case of Mr. Solomon Ghebrehiwet, an expatriate environmentalist, who was defrauded by a local agent while trying to invest in Uganda. The study highlights the systemic failures in law enforcement and the corrupt practices that allowed the fraudulent activities to persist. It also discusses the implications this has for foreign investors who are considering Uganda as a potential destination for investment.

Mr. Solomon Ghebrehiwet is a foreign investor with vast experience working on environmental projects for the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations in both Asia and Africa. He sought to expand his work to Uganda but became the victim of a scam.

The perpetrator, Mr. Yasin Nyando, operates a fraudulent clearing agency and promised to clear trucks for Mr. Ghebrehiwet for a payment of $4,500. Despite receiving the money, Nyando did not deliver the services and refused to return the funds. Instead, he resorted to cyber threats and verbal harassment when Mr. Ghebrehiwet demanded a refund. Nyando also withheld important documents needed for the clearing process.

Mr. Ghebrehiwet pursued several avenues to resolve the issue. He initially sought intervention through religious means, reaching out to Nyando’s mosque Imam. However, Nyando evaded any attempts at mediation. In a bid to seek justice, Mr. Ghebrehiwet also contacted eight senior officials, including members of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), the police, and human rights organizations. Despite these efforts, law enforcement failed to take meaningful action. Nyando was briefly detained at Kabalagala Police Station but was released within two hours, allegedly due to connections within the police force, raising serious concerns about corruption within law enforcement.

The Uganda Revenue Authority expressed disappointment in how the police handled the case, noting the broader systemic failures within Uganda’s law enforcement. The apparent collusion between criminals and law enforcement officials seriously undermines accountability and justice. Such incidents erode public trust in the system and raise alarms about the safety of foreign investments in the country.

The handling of this case has wider implications for Uganda’s investment climate. Incidents like this undermine investor confidence, as foreign investors may become hesitant to bring their business to Uganda due to fears of being defrauded without any recourse to justice. The corruption and impunity within law enforcement are particularly damaging, as they signal to potential investors that the system is unreliable. Additionally, this case exposes a troubling pattern where authorities often show indifference to complaints from foreigners, making the investment environment even less welcoming.

The case of Mr. Ghebrehiwet highlights significant gaps in Uganda’s ability to effectively combat fraud and cybercrime. The quick release of Nyando, despite clear evidence of fraud, underscores the ineffectiveness of law enforcement agencies in protecting victims. This failure also points to an urgent need for reform within these institutions. For Uganda to become a safe and attractive destination for both local and foreign investment, it is crucial to address these issues and ensure that law enforcement agencies operate with transparency and accountability.

The fraud perpetrated by Mr. Yasin Nyando against Mr. Solomon Ghebrehiwet reveals serious weaknesses within Uganda’s law enforcement and regulatory bodies. The inability to hold fraudsters accountable not only affects individual investors but also threatens the country’s reputation as a secure place for foreign investment. Without comprehensive reforms to tackle corruption and improve the legal framework for addressing fraud and cybercrime, Uganda risks alienating potential investors and damaging its economic prospects.

Strengthening law enforcement is essential to prevent cases like this in the future. Training programs focused on fraud detection and supporting victims should be implemented. Additionally, Uganda needs to enhance its regulatory frameworks to better govern clearing agencies and prevent fraudulent activities. Finally, promoting transparency within law enforcement agencies is crucial for building public trust and ensuring that victims of fraud and cybercrime receive justice.

Author: Solomon Ghebrehiwet (WaSH Advisor), MSc Water and Environment, Heriot-Watt University, UK