Four police officers have been arrested and disciplined for allegedly abandoning their official duties to guard a suspected gold fraud syndicate accused of attempting to defraud a Dubai-based businessman of millions of dollars.
The officers were implicated in a wider investigation into an alleged fake gold transaction in which the businessman reportedly lost USD 4 million, equivalent to about Shs15.2 billion, to a group operating under the company name Real Sunnex Ltd.
According to Police, the businessman lodged a complaint in July 2025, alleging that Moses Asiimwe and his accomplices had fraudulently obtained the money from him through a fake gold deal.
Police spokesperson ACP Kituuma Rusoke said further engagement with the complainant established that the suspects were allegedly planning to obtain another USD 4 million from the same businessman using similar fraudulent pretences.
“Upon further engagement with the complainant, police established that the suspects were expecting to receive an additional USD 4,000,000 from the same businessman under similar fraudulent pretences,” Rusoke said.
Acting on the intelligence, joint security teams reportedly mounted an operation that resulted in the arrest of 16 suspects, including the alleged prime suspect, Asiimwe Moses.
The other suspects were identified as Mibenge Rogers, Kiwanuka Edward, Kajubi Geofrey, Songole Thiery, Ajambo Bright, Mayuku Glody Mata, Nakahosa Soleina, Masaba William, Walusimbi Joseph, Ampurire Anitah, Amani Patrick, Mugoya Christian, Kagarura Dicken, Leta Grace and Mbasa Taboma.
During the operation, security teams recovered suspected counterfeit gold, documents believed to be incriminating and eight motor vehicles allegedly used in the suspected fraudulent activities.
However, investigations also uncovered the alleged involvement of four police officers who had reportedly abandoned their official assignments and deployed themselves to guard the suspects at an illegal gold refinery where the transactions were allegedly being facilitated.
The officers were identified as PC Kulutu Ayubu, PC Emorut Razak, PC Waiswa Benon and PC Waiswa Siraj.
Rusoke said the officers had withdrawn from their respective beats without authorisation and instead allegedly provided protection to the suspected gold fraud syndicate.
“This is a grave breach of police discipline and professional conduct,” Rusoke said.
On August 29, 2026, the four officers appeared before the Police Disciplinary Court, where they were tried and convicted over their conduct.
PC Kulutu Ayubu and PC Waiswa Benon were recommended for dismissal, while PC Waiswa Siraj and PC Emorut Razak were recommended for discharge from the Uganda Police Force.
The disciplinary proceedings, however, do not bring the wider criminal investigation to an end.
According to Rusoke, the four officers, together with the other 12 suspects arrested during the operation, are being processed for criminal prosecution in the courts of law.
“Investigations into the wider syndicate, including any other accomplices and the recovery of the defrauded funds are ongoing,” Rusoke said.
Police said the arrests and disciplinary action demonstrate its commitment to addressing misconduct within its ranks, particularly where officers are suspected of facilitating criminal activities.
Rusoke also cautioned members of the public, particularly those involved in the gold and precious minerals trade, to conduct proper due diligence before entering into transactions.
He urged traders to verify the legitimacy of dealers, gold suppliers and refineries to avoid falling victim to fraudsters operating under the guise of legitimate mineral businesses.
