Education
90 students probed over forged bank slips at Iganga Nursing Institute
According to Kasadha, police have recorded statements from the institute management, parents and some of the affected students, while suspected forged bank slips have been recovered and submitted to police for forensic examination.
Michael Kasadha, the Busoga East regional police spokesperson, said on Wednesday, October 7, that about 90 students are suspected to have participated in the scheme.
By: Simon Masaba, Journalist @New Vision
IGANGA - Police are investigating allegations of forgery, uttering forged documents, obtaining money by false pretences and impersonation involving students of Lubega Institute of Nursing and Health Professionals in Iganga district.
The probe follows a complaint by the institute management over suspected forged Stanbic Bank payment slips allegedly presented by students as proof of tuition payment.
Michael Kasadha, the Busoga East regional police spokesperson, said on Wednesday, October 7, that about 90 students are suspected to have participated in the scheme.
According to police, the students allegedly presented fake bank deposit slips purportedly issued in the name of Joshua Mwesigwa, who allegedly impersonated a bank agent.
Police have so far taken three student suspects to court, with their cases still ongoing.
Mwesigwa, described by police as the principal suspect and an external agent, had reportedly been on the run for about two months before he was tracked and arrested.
He is currently being held at Iganga Central Police Station and is expected to be arraigned before court on charges of forgery, uttering forged documents and impersonation
Two other suspects remain at large, and Kasadha said efforts to trace and arrest them are ongoing.
According to Kasadha, police have recorded statements from the institute management, parents and some of the affected students, while suspected forged bank slips have been recovered and submitted to police for forensic examination.
Police have also held a stakeholders’ meeting involving the institute’s board, parents, students and police to establish the facts surrounding the allegations and ensure a transparent process.
Kasadha said police had taken note of concerns raised in Parliament by Bubulo East Member of Parliament John Musila regarding the institution, but stressed that the matter was already under active criminal investigation.
Mwesigwa, described by police as the principal suspect and an external agent, had reportedly been on the run for about two months before he was tracked and arrested.
He is currently being held at Iganga Central Police Station and is expected to be arraigned before court on charges of forgery, uttering forged documents and impersonation
Two other suspects remain at large, and Kasadha said efforts to trace and arrest them are ongoing.
According to Kasadha, police have recorded statements from the institute management, parents and some of the affected students, while suspected forged bank slips have been recovered and submitted to police for forensic examination.
Police have also held a stakeholders’ meeting involving the institute’s board, parents, students and police to establish the facts surrounding the allegations and ensure a transparent process.
Kasadha said police had taken note of concerns raised in Parliament by Bubulo East Member of Parliament John Musila regarding the institution, but stressed that the matter was already under active criminal investigation.
Musila raised concerns about the institution in Parliament, prompting the school management to publicly reject allegations that it had defrauded parents or students.
“Over 300 students had been scammed by the school through its accounts system, the agent within the school and the bank. Students pay within the school through their agent, then the accounts clear them and the bank also does the same,” Musila said.
Kasadha urged all parties to allow police to complete their inquiries and leave the determination of criminal liability to the courts.
Police commended the institute management for reporting the alleged fraud rather than attempting to handle a criminal matter internally.
The case comes as schools reopen for the third term, a period police say can also expose parents, students and schools to heightened security risks.
Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma recently warned that commercial banks can become targets for fraudsters as parents flock to branches to pay school fees.
He also encouraged financial institutions to promote electronic payment systems to reduce congestion and opportunities for fraud.
“Over 300 students had been scammed by the school through its accounts system, the agent within the school and the bank. Students pay within the school through their agent, then the accounts clear them and the bank also does the same,” Musila said.
Kasadha urged all parties to allow police to complete their inquiries and leave the determination of criminal liability to the courts.
Police commended the institute management for reporting the alleged fraud rather than attempting to handle a criminal matter internally.
The case comes as schools reopen for the third term, a period police say can also expose parents, students and schools to heightened security risks.
Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma recently warned that commercial banks can become targets for fraudsters as parents flock to branches to pay school fees.
He also encouraged financial institutions to promote electronic payment systems to reduce congestion and opportunities for fraud.