Kampala, Uganda — A 45-year-old boda-boda rider has been charged in one of Uganda’s most audacious bank fraud cases in recent years, after allegedly siphoning more than Shs332 million from a Centenary Bank account through a complex web of forged identities, falsified documents, and digital manipulation.
The suspect, identified as George Byaruhanga, also known by the aliases Ronald Kintu and Rogers Ainembabazi, appeared on Thursday before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi, who remanded him to Luzira Prison pending trial.
GENESIS
According to prosecution led by State Attorney Grace Amy, Byaruhanga, a resident of Wamala, Nansana Municipality, allegedly orchestrated a cyber-theft scheme reminiscent of a high-stakes thriller. Investigators say he forged national identification cards, enrolled fake biometric data at Centenary Bank’s Mapeera Branch, and successfully convinced staff that he was the legitimate account holder, one Ronald Kintu, the owner of Account No. 3200153458.
Once the system accepted his biometric updates, Byaruhanga reportedly gained full access to the account. He is alleged to have:
Withdrawn Shs50 million over the counter;
Transferred Shs250 million to an Exim Bank account in the name Rogers Ainembabazi; and
Cashed out the remaining Shs32 million through ATM and agent banking transactions.
Security sources told The Standard that investigators suspect insider involvement within the banking system due to the sophistication of the operation.
“This wasn’t mere luck. Someone must have guided him,” a security source familiar with the case said on condition of anonymity. “You cannot walk into a major branch like Mapeera and update biometrics without internal facilitation.”
Court documents further indicate that Byaruhanga forged an additional national ID in November 2024, registered under NIN: CM920091041PID, which was allegedly used to validate the Exim Bank account where part of the stolen funds were transferred.
When Centenary Bank’s internal fraud detection systems flagged the suspicious transactions, the matter was promptly reported to police, leading to Byaruhanga’s arrest after a brief manhunt.
Court Proceedings
The Standard have learnt that the accused faces six counts of electronic fraud, impersonation, forgery, and uttering false documents, contrary to the Computer Misuse Act and the Penal Code Act.
In court, Byaruhanga denied all charges, telling the magistrate that he had sureties but needed more time to present them since “he was brought to court unexpectedly.”
Magistrate Kayizzi granted his request and remanded him to Luzira Prison until November 12, 2025, pending further investigation.
If convicted, the accused could face a lengthy prison sentence as authorities intensify efforts to crack down on a rising wave of electronic banking fraud in Kampala and other urban centres.
Separate Attempt to Defraud Stanbic Bank of Shs725m Foiled
In a related case, four individuals — including a Rwandan national — were earlier this month remanded to Luzira Prison by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) City Hall Magistrates Court for allegedly attempting to fraudulently withdraw Shs725 million from a Stanbic Bank account belonging to Ms Enid Kukunda.
The suspects — Joel Mucunguzi (a driver from Entebbe), Elizabeth Mbabazi (a Rwandan businesswoman residing in Buddo), Faridah Kobusingye (a resident of Masanafu, Kampala), and Flower Njawuzi alias Florence Mega Kanywani (a businesswoman from Nsangi, Wakiso District), appeared before Senior Principal Grade One Magistrate Nicholas Aisu on charges of forgery, uttering false documents, personation, conspiracy to defraud, and attempted theft.
Prosecution Account
According to State Attorney Mercy Yamangusho, the group conspired to withdraw funds from Stanbic Bank’s Acacia Mall Branch by using a forged national ID in the name of Enid Kukunda, bearing NIN: CF690801029W6F and Card No. 010400773.
Prosecution records show that on October 3, 2025, Mbabazi allegedly presented the fake ID alongside a falsified withdrawal slip bearing Kukunda’s forged signature, in an attempt to access account number 9030017562788.
However, vigilant bank staff detected irregularities and immediately alerted authorities, resulting in the suspects’ arrest.
Preliminary investigations suggest the group may have received insider information from bank employees, though their execution of the plan fell apart during the attempted withdrawal.
Background and Ongoing Investigations
Interestingly, Ms Kukunda — the alleged victim — was previously mentioned in media reports among individuals accused of securing Shs2.5 billion in loans from the Microfinance Support Centre (MSC) without requisite approval, a matter that prompted Finance Minister Matia Kasaija to order a review of MSC’s lending procedures. It remains unclear whether the current fraud case is in any way connected to that controversy.
Meanwhile, investigators have identified additional suspects; Sarah Nankumba and Emiriat Emmanuel, who remain at large and are believed to have assisted in preparing the forged documents.
All four suspects pleaded not guilty and were remanded pending completion of investigations. The prosecution indicated that efforts to apprehend the remaining accomplices are ongoing.
