Canadian Man Remanded Over Alleged $1.5m Gold Scam
Canadian Man Remanded Over Alleged $1.5m Gold Scam
A 64-year-old Canadian national has been remanded in Uganda prison after being accused of obtaining $1.5m (5.5 billion) in a suspected gold scam.
Michel Faille appeared before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kampala where he denied the charges.
He was remanded to Luzira Prison until 12 August when he is expected to return to court as police continue their investigations.
Prosecutors allege that Faille together with other suspects who are still at large obtained the money from businessman Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur between July and October 2025.
The prosecution says the suspects claimed they could facilitate the shipment of 16 tonnes of gold to Dubai but the deal never materialised.
Faille is also accused of possessing about 740kg of suspected gold nuggets in Kampala’s upmarket Kololo area without a valid mineral dealer’s licence.
The charge relates to Uganda’s Mining and Minerals Act of 2022, according to the prosecution.
State prosecutor Grace Amy Namuganza told the court that police investigations were still incomplete and asked for more time to allow detectives to conclude their work.
Chief Magistrate Ritah Neumbe Kidasa granted the request and ordered that Faille remain in custody until the next court appearance on 12 August.
Prosecutors also said security agencies were searching for other people allegedly connected to the scheme who remain at large.
Faille who is described as a consultant residing at a hotel in Kampala has not been convicted of any offence. The allegations against him have yet to be tested in court.
The case comes as authorities continue to scrutinise the country’s gold trade where lucrative deals have attracted both legitimate investors and allegations of fraud.
Uganda is a regional hub for gold trading with the country exporting gold worth billions of dollars in recent years. The sector has also faced concerns over the origin of some gold entering the international market and compliance with licensing and export regulations.
For Faille the immediate issue is whether investigators can establish the allegations made against him and whether the prosecution will present sufficient evidence for the case to proceed.
He will remain in Luzira Prison until his next court appearance on 12 August 2026.
