Four Arrested in Lira Over Alleged Fake Money-Making Chemicals Scam

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1245 EAT on Tuesday 14 July 2026

Four suspects have been arrested at a hotel in Lira City over allegations of possessing and dealing in counterfeit currency.

The suspects have been identified as Bashir Magambo, 55, a resident of California Village in Kyankende Sub-county, Kiryandongo District; David Epieu, 43, from Amuria District; Emmanuel Ebulu, 46, from Kapelebyong District; and Abdu Omuria, 40, a resident of Soroti City.

The arrests followed a joint intelligence-led operation by the Uganda Police Force and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) at Agenda 501 Hotel in Lira City East Division.

Police said another person who was initially part of the group is cooperating with investigators as an informant. A case of alleged possession of counterfeit currency has been registered at Lira City East Division Police Station.

North Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson Patrick Jimmy Okema said security officers recovered suspected counterfeit Shs50,000 notes worth a total face value of Shs3 million, alongside chemicals and other materials believed to have been used in the production of counterfeit currency.

Okema said detectives processed the scene, recorded statements from witnesses, recovered exhibits and detained the four suspects to assist with ongoing investigations.

He added that the recovered currency and related materials would be submitted to the Bank of Uganda Currency Centre in Lira for forensic examination and analysis.

The arrests come weeks after another intelligence-led operation in Ireda Shamba Cell, also in Lira City East Division, where four suspects were arrested following the recovery of suspected counterfeit United States dollar notes with a face value of about $9 million (approximately Shs33.75 billion).

Police said the operation was conducted after receiving information that suspected counterfeit currency and related materials were being stored at the residence of a local businesswoman.

During the search, officers reportedly recovered bundles of suspected counterfeit US dollar notes from a safe belonging to a suspect identified only as Sandra. Several motor vehicle logbooks and additional US dollar notes in different denominations were also recovered.

Investigations into both cases are ongoing.

-Observer

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