Man held over forging new currency notes
May 25, 2010
THE Police in Mbarara are holding a 24-year-old man in connection with issuing counterfeit banknotes similar to those recently released by the Bank of Uganda.
THE Police in Mbarara are holding a 24-year-old man in connection with issuing counterfeit banknotes similar to those recently released by the Bank of Uganda.
The district police commander, Vincent Irama, identified the suspect as Alex Taremwa, a resident of Kisenyi cell, Kakoba division in Mbarara municipality.
Taremwa allegedly issued a counterfeit note of sh5,000 to Innocent Kihembo, 29, a roast meat seller at Rwampara pub in Mbarara on Sunday night.
The Police said Kihembo, on touching the note, realised that it was not genuine and questioned Taremwa about it.
The suspect tried to run away, but was prevented by the crowd that surrounded him. He was arrested immediately.
On searching Taremwa’s pockets, the Police allegedly found other new currency counterfeit banknotes totaling to sh25,000. The notes included one of sh5,000 and 10 other notes of sh2,000 each.
Irama said the fake notes bore features that appeared to be similar to those of the genuine new banknotes.
During interrogation, Taremwa claimed he got the money from another person who bought timber from him.
Irama said the Police was investigating circumstances under which Taremwa got the money.
In Gulu, the district criminal investigations department officer, Moses Byabagye, said the Police were investigating reports that fake currency notes similar to the new ones were being circulated in the area.
Over the weekend, the Police arrested a suspect in Gulu municipality for being in possession of sh4m in counterfeit money.
The suspect was identified as Dennis Ogwal aged 20, from Lira district.
The Lira district Police commander, Richard Aruk Maruk, told journalists at Lira Police Station on Monday that they suspected there were fake currency notes in circulation in the villages.
Contacted yesterday, Bank of Uganda spokesperson Juma Walusimbi urged the public to know the security features of the new currency notes.
By Abdulkarim Ssengendo, Dennis Ojwee, Patrick Okino and Sylvia Juuko
The district police commander, Vincent Irama, identified the suspect as Alex Taremwa, a resident of Kisenyi cell, Kakoba division in Mbarara municipality.
Taremwa allegedly issued a counterfeit note of sh5,000 to Innocent Kihembo, 29, a roast meat seller at Rwampara pub in Mbarara on Sunday night.
The Police said Kihembo, on touching the note, realised that it was not genuine and questioned Taremwa about it.
The suspect tried to run away, but was prevented by the crowd that surrounded him. He was arrested immediately.
On searching Taremwa’s pockets, the Police allegedly found other new currency counterfeit banknotes totaling to sh25,000. The notes included one of sh5,000 and 10 other notes of sh2,000 each.
Irama said the fake notes bore features that appeared to be similar to those of the genuine new banknotes.
During interrogation, Taremwa claimed he got the money from another person who bought timber from him.
Irama said the Police was investigating circumstances under which Taremwa got the money.
In Gulu, the district criminal investigations department officer, Moses Byabagye, said the Police were investigating reports that fake currency notes similar to the new ones were being circulated in the area.
Over the weekend, the Police arrested a suspect in Gulu municipality for being in possession of sh4m in counterfeit money.
The suspect was identified as Dennis Ogwal aged 20, from Lira district.
The Lira district Police commander, Richard Aruk Maruk, told journalists at Lira Police Station on Monday that they suspected there were fake currency notes in circulation in the villages.
Contacted yesterday, Bank of Uganda spokesperson Juma Walusimbi urged the public to know the security features of the new currency notes.
By Abdulkarim Ssengendo, Dennis Ojwee, Patrick Okino and Sylvia Juuko