Iganga Police arrest four over counterfeit dollar scam, aggravated robbery

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Police in Iganga district have arrested four people involved in a counterfeit dollar scam during an intelligence-led operation in Namungalwe town council.

The operation followed intelligence reports about criminal activities involving counterfeit dollar issuance and aggravated robbery.

Speaking to New Vision on November 8, 2025, Busoga East police spokesperson Michael Kasadha identified the suspects as Juma Isabirye alias Magezi, 30, and Shafik Bamwitire, 22, both businessmen and residents of Buwenge town council in Jinja district.

Others were Michael Badagawa, 24, a chapati maker from Kawete village, and Isaac Nyende Augustus, 30, a resident of Nsinze, Namungalwe town council, both in Iganga district.

Kasadha explained that on October 25, 2025, the police registered several cases of fake-dollar fraud and robbery.

He added that on November 6, 2025, at around 1:00 pm, an intelligence-led operation was conducted, resulting in the arrest of the ringleaders.

Kasadha noted that, according to police records, victims had been lured from as far as the Central Region with fake dollar exchange schemes before being robbed.

“The victims are first tricked by giving them genuine dollars, which convinces them to surrender huge amounts of cash before being confronted with violence as the money is robbed,” he said.

He said these criminal acts have repeatedly occurred at Kawete trading centre and Nsinze in Bulumwagi village, Iganga district.

On October 27, 2025, Christopher Nathan Muyingo, 45, a resident of Bunga Church zone in Kampala district, was robbed of sh6 million in Kawete, Namungalwe town council, Iganga district.

Kasadha also highlighted a case in which Brian Ssemakula, 46, a resident of Kiboba village, Nama subcounty in Mukono district, was robbed of sh6.9 million on October 28, 2025, in the same area.

Another incident occurred on October 29, 2025, when Ben Okurut, 30, a businessman from Igaitani village, Namayemba town council, was robbed of sh18 million in Bulamagi subcounty, Iganga district.

“These rocketing criminal occurrences have caused public outcry and insecurities where mostly distant individuals have been victims,” he said.

He added that during the operation, police recovered an iPad belonging to one of the victims, which has been kept as evidence.

Upon interrogation, Juma Isabirye, the alleged ringleader, disclosed that some community members often benefit from the robbery missions to win their support, making the area a fertile ground for criminal activity.

Kasadha said police are continuing to hunt for more suspects to ensure they are arrested and prosecuted.

“We caution the public against falling victim to counterfeit currency scams, specifically those involving fake US dollars. These culprits often lure unsuspecting people with promises of quick wealth or high returns and can result in financial losses for victims,” he said.