Six Congolese Nationals Arrested in Arua with $ 300,000 in Counterfait Currency

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1316 EAT on Tuesday 2 September 2025

Police in Arua City have arrested six Congolese nationals suspected of dealing in counterfeit US currency, while several of their alleged accomplices remain at large.

Six Congolese nationals were arrested in Arua City on Friday evening after allegedly attempting to exchange counterfeit US dollars worth $300,000—approximately Shs 1.6 billion—for Ugandan currency.

The suspects were apprehended in Upper Bibia Cell, Pangisha Ward, Central Division, during a police sting operation led by Richard Amvuku, the Officer in Charge of Operations at Arua Central Police Station. The arrests followed a tip-off from concerned members of the community.

Police say the fake currency was packed in three bundles of $100 notes.

Those arrested have been identified as Joseph Manikeleza, Asiha Mumbere, Aquinza Dudu Mitira, Sadraq Kabutala, Jean Pierre Hassan, and Musa Muhammad. Several other suspects believed to be part of the operation remain at large.

The six Congolese nationals arrested last Friday in Arua City for attempting to exchange $300,000 in counterfeit US currency claimed to be refugees, though they had no official documentation at the time of their arrest.

The suspects—aged between 25 and 50—are facing charges of dealing in counterfeit currency and defrauding members of the public.

According to West Nile regional police spokesperson Jimmy Anguyo, the group was apprehended during a sting operation in Upper Bibia Cell, Pangisha Ward, after a community tip-off. He warned members of the public and business community against exchanging foreign currency in unlicensed locations, saying such transactions often expose people to fraud.

“Police will continue with sustained operations to clean up the city, which has increasingly become a hub for suspicious characters,” Anguyo said.

Investigations are ongoing, and a manhunt has been launched for other suspects who are still at large. Police have also appealed to the public to share timely information that may help prevent such crimes.

In a related development, police in Arua recovered two stolen vehicles this week—one taken from Malaba, Kenya, and another from Wandegeya in Kampala. The vehicles have since been handed over to Interpol in Kampala for further investigation.

This report includes information originally published by The Observer.

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