A major forgery scandal has erupted at Elite International Consultants Job Link Ltd a labour export company licensed by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, after one of its directors, Norbert Bwambale, is accused of forging a co-director’s signature to fraudulently secure a shs 100 million bank guarantee.
The scandal, which threatens to expose deeper rot in Uganda’s lucrative but poorly regulated labour externalization sector, involves Nahabwe Abesage, a 20% shareholder in the company, who has now disassociated herself from all company operations and filed formal complaints with URSB, I&M Bank, the Ministry of Gender, and the Uganda Police’s Economic Crimes Unit.
In a letter dated 11th June 2025, I&M Bank formally wrote to the directors of Elite International Consultants Job Link Ltd, namely Norbert Bwambale and Nahabwe Abesage, informing them that the bank had approved a shs 100 million facility to be gnature was forged by one of the company’s directors to fraudulently acquire a bank guarantee from I&M Bank without my knowledge or consent,” Nahabwe stated in formal letters addressed to the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) and the bank.
Elite International operates in Makindye and Magere, Kampala suburbs.
According to Nahabwe, she had bought 20% shares in the company from Bwambale but had delegated full operational powers to her brother Kaginda, who was responsible for her interests in the business. However, relations between Bwambale and Kaginda soured, and Bwambale allegedly orchestrated a scheme to edge Kaginda out by illegally using Nahabwe’s identity and signature to obtain the loan.
In her police statement filed on 3rd July 2025, Nahabwe detailed how she was presented in the company only as a nominee shareholder, had never participated in its formation or management, and was now distancing herself due to “forgery, unethical conduct, and high legal risk.”
The forged signature allowed Elite International Consultants Job Link Ltd to access the Shs 100 million loan under false pretenses — a move that not only raises legal questions but could also render the bank’s due diligence procedures suspect.
Nahabwe has since formally resigned as director, relinquished all shares, and demanded her name be struck off all official company records. She has attached resignation documents, a police statement, and a copy of her National ID to multiple authorities, including the Ministry of Gender, under whose watch the company continues to operate.
In a strongly worded letter to the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, Nahabwe asked that the company’s license be suspended or reviewed, citing forgery and risk to the integrity of Uganda’s labour export program.
“This matter involves criminal acts that may expose me to unjustified legal or financial liability. I submit this complaint in good faith to protect myself and ensure that the labour externalization program remains credible,” she wrote.
Nahabwe also called for her complete removal from URSB’s company registry, and asked that I&M Bank cease using her name or ID in any documentation going forward.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, attempts to reach Norbert Bwambale for comment were unsuccessful. Multiple calls and messages to his known contacts went unanswered by press time.
The development is the latest in a string of scandals to hit Uganda’s labour export sector, which has come under increased scrutiny in recent years due to reports of fraud, exploitation, and lack of proper oversight.
A source at the Ministry of Gender confirmed that a complaint had been received from Nahabwe and is currently under internal review. “Forgery and abuse of nominee structures are matters we take seriously, especially in companies that export labour to vulnerable populations,” the source said on condition of anonymity.
The Ministry has not yet issued an official statement on whether the company’s licence will be suspended or revoked.
Meanwhile, the police’s Economic Crimes Unit is reportedly investigating the forgery and may summon company officials, including Bwambale and Kaginda, for questioning.
As the legal and regulatory noose tightens, the spotlight is now firmly on Elite International Consultants Job Link Ltd — and on Norbert Bwambale, the man accused of masterminding a forgery that could have far-reaching implications.
Used as a bank guarantee to the Ministry of Gender to facilitate renewal of the company’s trading licence. The facility is to be repaid over 24 months.
However, Nahabwe, who resides in Gayaza, Wakiso, says she was never consulted, never signed, and never consented to the transaction.
Instead, she claims her signature was forged on the offer letter submitted to the bank by Norbert Bwambale, who not only excluded her designated representative and co-owner, Didas Byaruhanga Kaginda, but went ahead to misrepresent company ownership and directorship.
