Two Nigerians arrested in Uganda for drug trafficking, fraud

Ugandan security agencies have scored a significant victory in dismantling an international drug trafficking and document fraud network operating within Kampala. The Ministry of Internal Affairs, through the National Citizenship and Immigration Control, alongside other security bodies, has demonstrated its capability to tackle sophisticated criminal enterprises that threaten national security and international relations.

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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.

The operation, which was intelligence-led, has brought to light the intricate methods employed by criminals, including the use of shell companies, multiple passports, and impersonation of government officials. The alleged involvement of a Ugandan businessman, Mr. Mugisha Keith King, who is reportedly an internationally wanted criminal with a history of drug trafficking, underscores the need for robust vetting and monitoring of individuals involved in high-profile businesses.

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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.

From Uganda's perspective, this bust is crucial not only for curbing illicit activities within our borders but also for reinforcing our commitment to international cooperation in combating transnational crime. The collaboration with international security partners is key to tracking down fugitives, such as Ms. Ikemefuna Winner Chekwubechukwu, who is reportedly on the run in Brazil. The recovery of weapons, numerous passports, and forged documents highlights the serious nature of the threat and the thoroughness of the investigation. This action sends a clear message that Uganda will not be a haven for international criminals.

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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.