news 31 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda Police Dismiss Four Officers for Guarding Illegal Gold Refinery in Shs15 Billion Fraud
Four police officers have been dismissed from the Uganda Police Force following their conviction for guarding an illegal gold refinery involved in a significant fraudulent scheme. The operation, linked to a USD 4 million (approximately Shs15 billion) scam, also saw the arrest of 12 civilian suspects. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/uganda-police-sack-officers-caught-guarding-illegal-gold-refinery-in-shs15-billion-fraud-5577356
Four members of the Uganda Police Force have been dismissed after being found guilty by the Police Disciplinary Court. Their offense: abandoning their official duties to provide security for an illegal gold refinery implicated in a massive fraud. The operation was reportedly part of a syndicate attempting to defraud a Dubai-based businessman of USD 4 million, equivalent to about Shs15 billion.
Police Spokesperson ACP Kituuma Rusoke announced that the officers had “unauthorizedly self-deployed” to aid the criminal enterprise. He condemned the act as a severe violation of police discipline and professional standards. The internal disciplinary proceedings concluded on August 29, 2026, leading to the conviction and sentencing of all four.
Police Constables Kulutu Ayubu and Waiswa Benon were recommended for dismissal, while Police Constables Waiswa Siraj and Emorut Razak face discharge from the force. The dismissed officers, along with 12 civilian accomplices apprehended during a coordinated sting operation, are now awaiting criminal prosecution.
The investigation began in July 2025 when a businessman from Dubai reported being defrauded by Asiimwe Moses and associates operating under the company Real Sunnex Ltd. Further investigations revealed the syndicate’s intent to defraud the victim of an additional USD 4 million.
During the raid that led to the arrests, security forces confiscated what is believed to be fake gold, crucial documents, and eight vehicles used in the scheme. This incident underscores the persistent challenge of mineral-related fraud in Uganda, with the 2025 Police Annual Crime Report detailing 135 gold fraud cases.