KISORO, UGANDA – Police in Kisoro District are holding a businessman allegedly involved in a sophisticated counterfeit gold trade, following an intelligence-led operation that uncovered the suspected scam.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The suspect in custody, identified by the Kisoro District Police Commander (DPC), Mr. Ben Niwamanya Kashumbusha, during a press briefing, is Ronda Katurebe James.
He was arrested on Wednesday, August 24, 2025, as he was reportedly planning to travel to Kampala.
Reliable information indicates that Katurebe, a Munyankole man currently renting in Kisoro but permanently residing in Nabweru, Wakiso District, has been using the fake gold to defraud unsuspecting individuals in the area.
DPC Kashumbusha revealed that the arrest came after police acted on numerous reports from the public about a suspicious businessman dealing in counterfeit minerals.
“The arrest was made during an operation conducted on Wednesday, August 24, 2025. Our investigations suggest Katurebe was using the fake gold to defraud people,” stated Kashumbusha.
Cue in: DPC Kashumbusha on Reports. RR
The suspect has been formally charged with possessing fake minerals for commercial purposes, and police confirmed investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of his operations and identify accomplices or victims.
During interrogation, Katurebe told police that he acquired the gold from a man named Habimana, who is based in Kiwanja, Rutshuru Province, in the conflict-ridden North Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
He stated that the purchase price was set at $5,000 (approximately UGX 19 million), explaining that he had paid $3,000 upfront under an agreement that the final $2,000 would be paid after the gold was sold.
Katurebe maintained he was a victim of deception, alleging he was arrested while planning to travel to Kampala to verify the gold’s authenticity and weight, suggesting he was unaware it was counterfeit.
Cue in: Katurebe on Gold verification. RR
The DPC further emphasized the risks of unregulated mineral deals, especially across borders, noting that police face significant challenges in tracing the alleged supplier, Habimana, due to the volatility of the DRC border.
“The suspect has been charged with possessing fake minerals for commercial purposes, and investigations are still ongoing,” Kashumbusha reiterated.
Cue in: DPC Kashumbusha on Charges. RR
The public has been urged to exercise extreme caution and to only engage in mineral transactions through licensed and government-approved channels to avoid falling prey to similar scams.
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