Wanted South Sudanese fugitive in $7m fraud living large in Kampala

by · The Observer
Augustino Taban Idro Kuei

Interpol is investigating how Augustino Taban Idro Kuei, a South Sudanese national wanted for his role in a $7 million fraud, managed to escape jail in both Dubai and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) before settling into a luxurious lifestyle in Kampala, Uganda.

Kuei is accused of forging signatures to fraudulently withdraw over $7 million from the account of his employer, the Ropani Group of Companies. Sources within Uganda’s directorate of Interpol told The Observer that Kuei, who holds South Sudanese, Ugandan and DR Congolese nationalities, is on an Interpol red notice. Despite this, he is reportedly shielded by “powerful, well-connected individuals” within Uganda.

WHAT IS AN INTERPOL RED NOTICE?

An Interpol red notice serves as a global alert to law enforcement agencies, requesting the location and provisional arrest of a suspect pending extradition or legal action. In Uganda, the Interpol directorate facilitates international cooperation to combat transnational crime.

ARREST ATTEMPTS THWARTED

The source revealed that an arrest warrant for Kuei has been in place since 2021, but efforts to apprehend and extradite him to South Sudan have been blocked by influential figures in the Ugandan government. Documents seen by The Observer indicate that the South Sudanese government has repeatedly written to the Ugandan and DR Congolese governments requesting their cooperation in arresting Kuei, but no progress has been made.

Kuei’s alleged fraudulent activities date back to his tenure at Ropani Group of Companies, where he worked under Samuel Lotigo, a South Sudanese national. Between 2015 and 2020, Kuei allegedly colluded with bank officials to siphon over $7.7 million from the company account. After the fraud was uncovered, Kuei fled to Dubai, where he was briefly arrested, only to escape custody and later surface in DR Congo.

LAVISH LIFESTYLE IN KAMPALA

Despite his fugitive status, Kuei is reportedly living a high-profile lifestyle in Kampala. Interpol continues to probe how he managed to evade justice in multiple countries and avoid extradition. His case highlights challenges in addressing transnational crime, particularly when suspects receive protection from influential networks.

This high-profile investigation raises serious questions about the effectiveness of international cooperation in tackling financial crimes and the role of domestic authorities in protecting fugitives.

FUGITIVE’S ESCAPE FROM JUSTICE SPARKS INTERNATIONAL TENSIONS

Records reveal that when Samuel Lotigo, a South Sudanese businessman, discovered the $7.7 million fraud allegedly orchestrated by his employee, Augustino Taban Idro Kuei, he alerted South Sudan police. However, Kuei managed to evade capture and fled to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In 2021, after the South Sudan government issued an Interpol red notice for Kuei, he was arrested in Dubai and detained for three months while awaiting extradition. During this time, a high-ranking Ugandan official reportedly travelled to South Sudan to lobby for leniency on Kuei’s behalf but failed to convince South Sudanese authorities.

A PATTERN OF INFLUENCE

According to sources within Interpol, the same Ugandan official allegedly leveraged their influence to secure Kuei’s release from detention in Dubai, facilitating his return to Kampala. Later that year, when Kuei travelled to DR Congo for business, he was arrested by Congolese authorities. Once again, the official reportedly intervened, ensuring Kuei’s release and safe return to Uganda.

These repeated maneuvers reportedly angered the South Sudan government, which appealed to both Uganda and DR Congo to arrest and extradite Kuei. Letters from South Sudan’s directorate of Public Prosecution outlined the allegations against Kuei under sections 346 and 341 of the South Sudan Penal Code Act, 2008. They detailed how he misappropriated $7.7 million from the company he worked for before fleeing.

SOUTH SUDAN’S PLEA FOR JUSTICE

One letter from South Sudan’s inspector general of police to counterparts in Uganda and DR Congo reads:

“We are requesting your authorities to kindly arrest the above suspect wanted by the judicial authority of South Sudan. Kuei is wanted by South Sudan National Police Service for criminal misappropriation amounting to $7,721,150. The ministry kindly requests your esteemed embassy to facilitate with the relevant authorities in DR Congo the extradition of the suspect to South Sudan.”

QUESTIONS OF CORRUPTION AND PROTECTION

Kuei’s ability to evade justice in both Dubai and DR Congo, as well as his current safety in Kampala, raises significant questions. Sources allege that powerful individuals within the Ugandan government are protecting Kuei and may have benefitted from his fraudulent activities.

These claims have further strained relations between South Sudan and Uganda.

SILENCE FROM THE VICTIM

Efforts to contact Lotigo, the whistleblower and victim of the alleged fraud, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to repeated calls.
The case highlights the challenges of addressing transnational crime, especially when suspects are shielded by influential networks.

The involvement of high-ranking officials in obstructing justice underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in handling international warrants and extradition cases.

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