Four Arrested in Lira as Police Bust Suspected Counterfeit Currency Ring

Police in Lira City have arrested four men following a joint intelligence-led operation that uncovered suspected counterfeit Uganda Shilling notes and materials allegedly used to produce fake currency.

The operation was carried out by the Police and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) at Agenda 501 Hotel in Ireda Agali Cell, Ireda East Ward, Lira City East Division.

The suspects have been identified as Magambo Bashir, 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 Omuria Abdu, 40, a resident of Soroti City.

Police said another individual who was initially among the group is now cooperating with investigators as an informant and a case of alleged possession of counterfeit currency has been opened at Lira City East Division Police Station.

North Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson Patrick Jimmy Okema said security officers recovered suspected counterfeit 50,000 Shilling notes with a face value of 3 million Shillings, together with chemicals and other materials believed to have been intended for manufacturing counterfeit currency.

Okema said detectives documented the scene, recorded witness statements, recovered the suspected exhibits and detained the four suspects to facilitate ongoing investigations. He added that the recovered notes and related materials would be submitted to the Bank of Uganda Currency Centre in Lira on Monday, July 13, 2026, for forensic examination and analysis to support the investigation.

Police urged the public to remain vigilant when handling cash and to report any suspected counterfeit currency or related activities to the nearest police station.

The latest arrests come barely weeks after another intelligence-led operation in Ireda Shamba Cell, also in Lira City East Division, led to the arrest of four suspects following the recovery of bundles of suspected counterfeit United States dollar notes with a face value of about USD 9 million (approximately 33.75 billion Shillings).

That operation followed a tip-off that suspected counterfeit currency and related materials were being kept at the residence of an area businesswoman.

According to Police, the suspected counterfeit US dollar notes were recovered from a safe at the home of a suspect identified only as Sandra. Officers also recovered several motor vehicle logbooks and additional US dollar notes in various denominations during the search.