Uganda’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has dismantled an international drug trafficking network operating from Kampala.
The crackdown in Kampala was an intelligence-led operation, conducted by the National Citizenship and Immigration Control (NCIC) and multiple agencies.
According to a statement dated May 6, by the NCIC, the drug ring involved a Ugandan national coordinating several foreign nationals to carry out drug trafficking.
Additionally, the detained suspects were found guilty of actively being involved in document fraud during the operation.
“The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), through the National Citizenship and Immigration Control (NCIC ) and sister security agencies, authorities have uncovered a racket allegedly involved in large-scale illicit drug dealing and document fraud,” part of the statement read.
Kampala Crackdown Prime suspect
According to NCIC, Mugisha Keith King, from Kisoro district and a resident of Kira municipality, was named the primary suspect.
Mugisha is the proprietor of the Keith King Groups of Companies, which comprises shell companies and other companies.
During the investigation, Mugisha was found to have a prior conviction, for which he had been arrested in 2010 at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
His arrest was due to possession of cocaine shipped from Brazil, and he served a 12-year prison sentence in Kenya.
Further, Mugisha remains an internationally wanted criminal.
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Charges against Mugisha Keith King
NCIC has noted that the primary suspect was found to hold multiple passports from the Seychelles, the Kingdom of Eswatini, Belgium, the United Kingdom (UK), and Brazil.
In addition to the fake passports, he also holds his Ugandan passport and National IDs from Kenya and Nigeria.
Mugisha also had a fake work ID identifying him as an employee of the President’s office.
According to reports from the NCIC on his arrest, the suspect had also been observed using luxury vehicles, including a Mercedes-Benz and a Toyota Land Cruiser fitted with illegal sirens.
To avoid security checks, the suspect also wore a military uniform to conceal his identity; his security man at the residence was dressed in military clothes as well.
Additionally, Mugisha was identified as masquerading as an Ambassador and a foreign diplomat, and had a signpost at home reading ‘Ambassador’s Residence’.
Foreign Nationals Arrested
During the investigation, foreign nationals from Nigeria were linked to a drug ring, including Mugisha’s spouse, a Nigerian national, Ikemefuna Winner Chekwubechukwu, part of the drug business.
NCIC discovered that the spouse had obtained a Ugandan National ID, changed her first name to Mugisha, and is currently on the run in Brazil.
In connection with the drug ring, Ikemefuna Testimony Udo and Ikemefuna Annointing were also placed under custody.
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Items Recovered
Upon performance of systematic searches of the suspects’ residences and business premises, the NCIC recovered a gun, a pistol, live ammunition, multiple passports, and Identity cards.
Further military attire, including shoes, jackets, headgear, vests, walkie-talkies, and satellite phones, was also recovered.
Forged headed papers from the President’s office and other companies were also among the items recovered during the searches.
The ministry has urged the public to report any suspicious foreigners or local networks involved in suspicious businesses as the crackdown on illegal businesses continues in Kampala.
