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Two Nigerians have been arrested in Uganda over alleged involvement in an international drug trafficking and document fraud network dismantled by security agencies in Kampala, the nation’s capital.
The arrests followed an intelligence-led operation coordinated by Uganda’s Ministry of Internal Affairs through the National Citizenship and Immigration Control, in collaboration with other security agencies.
This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the ministry’s spokesperson, Mundeyi Simon Peter, and posted on its X handle.
The ministry said the operation uncovered a “sophisticated drug trafficking network operating internationally based in Kampala,” involving a Ugandan national and several foreign associates.
At the centre of the investigation is a Ugandan businessman, Mr Mugisha Keith King, who authorities said is linked to shell companies and multiple alleged criminal activities, including drug trafficking and identity fraud.
“In 2010, Mr Mugisha was arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi with cocaine shipped from Brazil. He served a 12-year prison sentence in Kenya and remains an internationally wanted criminal.
“Mr Mugisha holds different passports alongside his Ugandan passport, including those from Seychelles, the Kingdom of Eswatini, Belgium, the United Kingdom and Brazil, as well as national IDs of Kenya and Nigeria. He also has a fake work ID masquerading as an employee of the President’s Office,” the statement read.
Authorities further accused him of impersonating government and military officials and displaying a signpost at his residence reading “Ambassador’s Residence.”
The statement also alleged that Mugisha coordinated illegal activities with Nigerian nationals, including Chekwubechukwu, described as his spouse.
“Mr Mugisha is alleged to be coordinating these illegal activities with a group of Nigerian nationals. Of particular concern is the discovery that his spouse, a Nigerian national, Ms Ikemefuna Winner Chekwubechukwu, fraudulently acquired a Ugandan National ID under the name Mugisha Winner Chekwubechukwu with the help of Mugisha.
“She is currently on the run in Brazil.
“The Ministry also has in custody the following Nigerian associates linked to this racket: 1. Ikemefuna Testimony Udo; 2. Ikemefuna Annointing,” the statement added.
The ministry said further arrests are ongoing in collaboration with international security partners.
Security agencies also reportedly recovered weapons and other items during searches of the suspect’s residence and business premises, including a gun, a pistol, live ammunition, multiple passports, identity cards, military attire, communication gadgets, and allegedly forged official documents.
“The Ministry emphasizes that Uganda maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards drug trafficking and the misuse of military hardware,” the statement said.
It urged members of the public to report suspected drug activity and impersonation of security personnel to relevant authorities, adding that investigations and immigration status reviews of all foreign suspects were ongoing.
The ministry added that it would continue working with international partners to apprehend other suspects still at large
