City lawyer Isaac Kyagaba has vehemently denied allegations linking him to a high-profile gold heist worth Shs18 billion.
The scandal, which has rocked Uganda’s legal and mining sectors, accuses Kyagaba of orchestrating a fraudulent scheme involving foreign investors.
In a strongly-worded statement, Kyagaba’s legal team at Kirunda and Company Advocates dismissed the claims as “patently false, misleading, and deliberately calculated to injure his reputation.”
The Allegations
Reports surfaced alleging that Kyagaba was part of a Ugandan-Burundian syndicate that defrauded Indonesian and Emirati investors.
The scheme reportedly involved Oyztar Minerals Company Limited, a Ugandan-based firm accused of swindling millions.
However, Kyagaba’s lawyers insist he had no involvement. “Mr. Kyagaba did not orchestrate any fraudulent scheme, nor is he implicated in one,” the statement read.
The lawyers also refuted claims that Kyagaba received $500,000 from PT HRTC Exploration and Production (PT HRTC) or issued any Customs Declaration Forms related to the alleged gold transaction.
PT HRTC Backs Kyagaba
PT HRTC, the company at the center of the controversy, has also come to Kyagaba’s defense. In a statement dated March 14, the firm categorically denied the allegations, calling them “completely false, misleading, and defamatory.”
“Neither Isaac Kyagaba nor Dentons has received any such funds as alleged,” the statement clarified. “Isaac continues to provide legal counsel to PT HRTC and its sister entities on key transactions that bring significant value to Uganda.”
The company urged the public to disregard the reports and called on law enforcement to investigate the source of the “malicious allegations.”
Media Under Fire
Kyagaba’s legal team slammed the media outlets behind the reports, accusing them of failing to verify the facts.
“At no time did anyone from any online media outlet contact Mr. Kyagaba to verify these outlandish claims,” the statement said.
The lawyers emphasized that the allegations were not only false but also “contemptible and disdainful,” aimed solely at tarnishing Kyagaba’s reputation.
Calls for Investigation
As the controversy unfolds, PT HRTC has called for a thorough investigation into the source of the allegations.
“We urge law enforcement agencies to take appropriate action against those responsible,” the company stated.
For now, Kyagaba remains steadfast in his denial, with PT HRTC standing firmly by his side. The truth behind the Shs18bn gold heist scandal remains shrouded in mystery, but one thing is clear: Isaac Kyagaba is fighting back.
