These are strange times in Ugandan economy. And stranger still is the reemerging that the shilling is falling further against world currencies but Ugandans still want to take shortcuts.
The latest news is about Police in Lira holding five people who were found with a box full of counterfeit dollar bills.
David Ongom Mudong, the North Kyoga Regional police spokesperson, said police acted upon a tip off by a crime preventer when they rounded the suspects on Friday at Silver Peak Hotel, Opposite Don Petrol Station in Lira Municipality.
In the box, there were several bundles of counterfeit US dollar notes.
He identified the suspects as Samtino Dramani, Santi Odama, James Obalim, William Adonga and Denis Oteka. They are being held at Lira central police station as police detectives carryout more investigations.
Mudong appealed to the public to be vigilant about the people dealing in the fake notes as it has become a very rampant business across the country.
Last year, an American who was been on trial in Kampala for counterfeiting currency notes worth $180,400 was deported to the US where he faces criminal charges.
Ryan Andrew Gustafson pleaded with magistrate Flavia Nabakooza not to have him deported.
“I would rather remain in Luzira than deporting me. Those people will kill me,” Gustafson said without elaborating.
Gustafson was arrested on 11 December 2014 in Kampala. Printers and other equipment used to make high-quality fake $20, $50 and $100 bills were also seized.
