Six Congolese nationals arrested in Arua with $300,000 fake currency notes

The police in Arua city have arrested six Congolese nationals accused of dealing in counterfeit US dollars, with several accomplices still on the run.

The suspects were arrested late on Friday in Upper Bibia Cell, Pangisha Ward, Arua Central Division, as they attempted to exchange fake $300,000 (approximately Shs 1.6 billion), packed in three bundles, for Ugandan shillings.

Richard Amvuku, officer in charge of operations at Arua City central police station (CPS), who led the operation, said the arrests followed a tip-off from the community. The suspects were identified as Joseph Manikeleza, Asiha Mumbere, Aquinza Dudu Mitira, Sadraq Kabutala, Jean Pierre Hassan, and Musa Muhammad.

Aged between 25 and 50, the group claimed to be Congolese refugees but had no documentation at the time of arrest. They face charges of dealing in fake currency and defrauding the public.

Police spokesperson for West Nile, Jimmy Anguyo, has since warned the business community and the public against transacting foreign currency in unlicensed places, noting that such dealings expose them to fraudsters.

He said police will continue sustained operations to “clean up” the city, which has increasingly become a hub for suspicious characters. Meanwhile, investigations and a manhunt for other suspects at large are underway.

Police have appealed to the public to provide timely information to help curb such crimes. In a related development, police in Arua this week recovered two vehicles stolen from Malaba in Kenya and Wandegeya in Kampala. The vehicles have since been handed over to Interpol in Kampala for further management.