Fugitive with UGX 65 Million in Fake Money Disappears at Jinja Bridge

(Jinja) – Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) officials have once again shown their unmatched talent for sniffing out dodgy dealings at the Jinja Nile Bridge checkpoint. But in typical Ugandan fashion, the plot comes with a twist that would make any seasoned Kampala boda boda rider proud. This time, the culprit vanished into the night, leaving behind UGX 65 million worth of counterfeit UGX 5,000 notes!
It all began innocently enough with URA’s routine inspection of vehicles headed to Kampala. Among them, a taxi coming from Busia, packed with passengers who seemed like they had nothing more suspicious than their day’s work ahead of them. Well, that was until one man’s body language screamed louder than a vuvuzela at a Cranes match. He fidgeted, sweated, and clutched a sack with the kind of grip usually reserved for a “Kaveera” of Rolex on a rainy day in Kampala.
When URA officers asked him to open the sack, let’s call it “Usofia,” in true Ugandan fashion, the man probably realized his dreams of making quick cash had just been intercepted like an unsuspecting goat wandering onto a motor highway. And sure enough, tucked inside were 30 neatly packed bundles of UGX 5,000 counterfeit notes, totaling a cool UGX 65 million.
Now, at this point, any ordinary Ugandan would expect the story to end with a dramatic arrest and maybe a meme worthy mugshot. In a move that could rival the escapades of Besigye’s journey into exile, the passenger slipped away into the misty morning darkness faster than a politician fleeing accountability. One minute, he was there, sweating under the pressure of URA’s piercing questions, the next, he was gone like the last piece of chicken at a family gathering.
The UGX 65 million in fake notes was no joke, though. If these had hit the streets of Kampala, local business owners would have been left more confused than a taxi conductor with no change. This is not even the first time something like this has happened. Back in March 2023, URA officers, who clearly have a talent for catching counterfeiters, intercepted another group trying to smuggle UGX 40 million aboard a Modern Coast bus. Same fake cash, same nervous energy, but that time, no one pulled off a disappearing act.
Smuggling counterfeit cash is no walk in the park. Under the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA) of 2004 (as amended), carrying false money is a no go zone. It is like trying to sell “mujaaja” (herbs) at a high end Kampala restaurant. it is just not allowed. The law is as clear as the muddy waters of River Nile after a heavy downpour: if you are caught, you face a hefty fine or even jail time. URA is not playing games—they will send you straight to Luzira.
The investigators are now on the hunt, not only for the counterfeit money but also for the man who thought he could vanish like the ghosts on government payrolls. You can bet Kampala’s seasoned detectives are on the case, and with URA’s track record of sniffing out wrongdoers, it is only a matter of time before this fugitive’s run comes to an end.
The URA has assured the public they remain as vigilant as ever in combating tax evasion and counterfeit schemes that threaten Uganda’s economy.
Here’s a table summarizing the recent smuggling cases at URA:
Date
Amount (UGX)
Mode of Transport
Outcome
March 2023
40 million
Modern Coast Bus
Suspects arrested
September 2024
65 million
Taxi from Busia
Suspect vanished, money seized