Four Ugandans Arrested as Police Seize Counterfeit Dollar Printing Machine and Fake US Dollars Worth Shs33.7 Billion

Police have arrested four suspects in Lira City after an operation that uncovered a machine allegedly used to manufacture counterfeit United States dollars and fake currency valued at about $9 million (approximately Shs33.7 billion).

The operation was carried out in Lira City, where officers recovered the suspected counterfeiting machine along with counterfeit US dollar notes and several vehicle logbooks believed to be linked to the ongoing investigation.

According to North Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson Jimmy Patrick Okema, the machine was discovered inside the bedroom of a woman identified only as Sandra, a resident of Ireda Shamda Cell in Lira City East Division. Police said Sandra is the sister of Nighty Wengo.

Preliminary investigations indicate that one of the suspects, Tonny Siwa, told detectives he had taken the machine to Wengo’s residence because the two had been working together in business.

All four suspects were taken into custody and are currently being held at Lira City Central Police Station as detectives continue with investigations.

Police have not yet released the names of the other three suspects or confirmed the specific charges they are likely to face.

Authorities say the recovered counterfeit currency, estimated at $9 million, and the seized equipment will form part of the evidence as investigations into the suspected counterfeiting racket continue.