URA investigator testifies in counterfeit notes case
Nabalani testified as the second prosecution witness at the Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court, presided over by Grade One Magistrate Esther Asiimwe.
The witness said upon establishing that the notes were counterfeits, she preferred charges of illegal procuring of counterfeit against Tusabe.
By Edward Anyoli
Journalists @New Vision
KAMPALA - A Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) investigator has testified in court that she arrested a city businesswoman in possession of counterfeit currency amounting to sh40.8 million.
Christine Nabalani told court on Wednesday that she apprehended Caroline Tusabe from her house in Nsambya Kevina zone following a tip-off from a phone tracker who had been hired to track her since she was in hiding.
Nabalani testified as the second prosecution witness at the Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court, presided over by Grade One Magistrate Esther Asiimwe.
The URA detective stated that investigations began after a parcel addressed to Tusabe, bearing her name and telephone contact, was intercepted. She revealed that the parcel containing counterfeit banknotes had been sent via a Modern Coast bus.
"We traced her through the parcel using the telephone number indicated on it, but instead of showing up herself, she sent a boda boda rider to collect it. I arrested the rider but later released him on Police bond after he stated that he did not know her whereabouts," Nabalani told court.
Prosecution was led by Allan Nkoyoyo, a legal officer from URA.
Nabalani testified that Tusabe admitted the telephone number on the parcel belonged to her. However, during interrogation, she denied any knowledge of the parcel’s contents and the counterfeit notes.
Nabalani further testified that after recovering the counterfeit notes, she took them to Bank of Uganda (BoU) for verification. The central bank subsequently confirmed that the notes were counterfeit.
The witness said upon establishing that the notes were counterfeits, she preferred charges of illegal procuring of counterfeit against Tusabe.
It is alleged that Tusabe, 35, a bar proprietor and resident of Nsambya, Makindye division, along with others still at large, procured counterfeit Ugandan currency notes in denominations of 50,000 and 10,000 totalling sh40.8 million from Kenya to Kampala on March 15, 2023, knowing that the notes were prohibited.
Tusabe denied the charge and she is out on bail. The case was adjourned until June 19, 2025 for further hearing.