Centenary Bank Steps Up Anti-Fraud Efforts, Boda Rider Remanded Over Shs332m Theft

Kampala, Uganda — A 45-year-old boda-boda rider has been remanded to Luzira Prison for allegedly defrauding more than Shs332 million from a Centenary Bank customer’s account in a sophisticated impersonation scheme.

The accused, George Byaruhanga, also known as Ronald Kintu and Rogers Ainembabazi, appeared before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi on Thursday and denied six counts of electronic fraud, forgery, uttering false documents and impersonation.

Alleged scheme

According to the charge sheet, prosecution led by Grace Amy alleges that in February 2025, Byaruhanga and others still at large with intent to secure unlawful gain, conducted an unauthorized electronic money transfer of money from Centenary Bank account number 3200153458, registered in the name of Ronald Kintu- to an Exim Bank account number 0021012541 in the name of Rogers Ainembabazi.

Prosecution further alleges that the accused forged a national identification card bearing NIN CM84012103AXSE in the name of Kintu which he allegedly used to impersonate the genuine account holder and defraud the bank.

It is also alleged that Byaruhanga knowingly uttered the forged documents at Centenary Bank’s Mapeera Branch to update the bank account and enroll his biometric details.

After successfully updating the account, he is accused of withdrawing Shs50 million over the counter and later transferring Shs250 million to the Exim Bank account under the alias Rogers Ainembabazi.

It is also alleged that he subsequently withdrew Shs32,207,777 using either an ATM or agent banking platform, bringing the total amount fraudulently obtained to more than Shs332 million.

Further investigations reveal that Byaruhanga also forged a second national ID in November 2024 — this time under NIN: CM920091041PID — to formalize the Exim Bank transactions.

Centenary Bank’s fraud monitoring system reportedly detected the irregular transactions, prompting management to alert police. A brief manhunt ended with Byaruhanga’s arrest.

Court proceedings

Before Magistrate Kayizzi, the suspect requested more time to present sureties, explaining that he was brought to court unexpectedly. He was remanded to Luzira Prison until November 12, 2025, as investigations continue.

If convicted, Byaruhanga could face a lengthy prison sentence under the Computer Misuse Act and Penal Code Act.

THUGS ATTEMPT TO STEAL ENID KUKUNDA’S BILLIONS

Relatedly, four individuals, including a Rwandan national, were early this month remanded to Luzira Prison by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) City Hall Magistrates Court on charges of attempting to fraudulently withdraw 725 million Shillings from a Stanbic Bank account belonging to Enid Kukunda.

It goes without mention that Enid Kukunda, the alleged victim in this case, is the same lady who was recently mentioned in media reports among individuals accused of obtaining illegal loans from the Microfinance Support Centre.

Public records indicate that Kukunda reportedly obtained 2.5 billion Shillings in loans without approval. This prompted Finance Minister Matia Kasaija to halt the lending scheme & directed MSC to lend only to SMEs and SACCOs.

It remains unclear whether this controversy is related to the ongoing fraud case.

BACK TO THE FRAUD

The suspects, Joel Mucunguzi, a driver and resident of Kitoro, Kiwafu Road in Entebbe; Mbabazi Elizabeth, a Rwandan businesswoman residing in Buddo, Kyengera Town Council; Faridah Kobusingye, a resident of Masanafu, Lugala Road in Kampala District; and Flower Njawuzi, also known as Florence Mega Kanywani, a businesswoman from Buddo, Nsangi Sub-county in Wakiso District, appeared before Senior Principal Grade One Magistrate Nicholas Aisu.

The suspects

They face multiple charges under the Penal Code Act, including forgery, uttering false documents, personation, conspiracy to defraud, and attempted theft.

According to the prosecution led by State Attorney Mercy Yamangusho, the accused, together with others still at large, orchestrated a sophisticated scheme targeting Kukunda’s account at Stanbic Bank’s Acacia Mall branch in Kampala.

Prosecution records show that on October 3, 2025, the group allegedly forged a Ugandan National Identity Card in the name of Enid Kukunda, complete with National Identification Number CF690801029W6F and card number 010400773. The forged ID was purportedly used to falsely claim ownership of Kukunda’s bank account, number 9030017562788, with the intention of withdrawing a sum of 725 million Shillings.

It is alleged that Mbabazi, posing as the account holder, presented the forged ID and a falsified withdrawal slip bearing a forged signature of Kukunda. However, the transaction raised suspicion among bank officials, who promptly flagged the irregularities and alerted authorities, leading to the suspects’ arrest.

Investigations suggest the gang may have received inside help from Stanbic staff to access the client’s account information but somehow messed up the execution.

The prosecution contends that the documents were knowingly and fraudulently presented as genuine, with the deliberate intention to defraud both the bank and the rightful account owner.

Investigations further revealed that the group had conspired as early as October 1, 2025, to execute the fraudulent operation. Court documents also list additional accomplices as Sarah Nankumba and Emiriat Emmanuel, who are still at large and believed to have participated in preparing the forged documents. All four suspects have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

State Attorney Yamangusho informed the court that investigations are ongoing and that security agencies are pursuing other members of the suspected fraud syndicate. She requested that the accused be remanded pending further inquiries.

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