Two Nigerians have been arrested in Uganda over their alleged involvement in an international drug trafficking and document fraud syndicate dismantled by security agencies in Kampala, the country’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 shared via the ministry’s official X handle.
According to the statement, 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.
Authorities alleged that Mugisha was previously arrested in 2010 at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi with cocaine reportedly shipped from Brazil. He was said to have served a 12-year prison sentence in Kenya and remains an internationally wanted suspect.
The statement further claimed that he possesses multiple passports from different countries, including Seychelles, Eswatini, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Brazil, as well as national identity cards from Kenya and Nigeria. He was also accused of impersonating government and military officials.
Investigators further alleged that Mugisha coordinated illegal activities with Nigerian nationals, including one identified 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,” the statement read.
The ministry said the suspect’s spouse is currently on the run in Brazil.
It also confirmed that two Nigerian associates are currently in custody: Ikemefuna Testimony Udo and Ikemefuna Annointing.
Security agencies reportedly recovered weapons and other items during searches of the suspect’s residence and business premises, including firearms, ammunition, multiple passports, identity cards, military uniforms, communication devices, and allegedly forged official documents.
The ministry reiterated that Uganda maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward drug trafficking and impersonation of security personnel, adding that investigations are ongoing in collaboration with international partners.
It further stated that efforts are underway to apprehend other suspects still at large and review the immigration status of all foreign nationals linked to the case.
Margaret ABAH
