By Our Reporter
Police has confirmed the arrest of popular Masaka city business man Emmanuel Lwasa over the forgery of documents.
The Kampala Metropolitan deputy police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire confirmed the arrest and revealed that Lwasa was arrested from his office on Monday evening at Najja Shopping Centre in Najjanankumbi after forging signatures on documents related to gold mining.
“Lwasa was arrested for allegedly forging the signature of the acting Director Geological survey and mines (Ag. D/GSM), Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development Mrs Alaba Agnes and that of Ms Grace Lajwe Principal Chemist Directorate of Geological survey and mines (DGSM) in his fraudulent transactions using his two companies.” Luke Owoyesigyirwe Said
Lwasa has allegedly been using the forged trade license to export gold abroad.
“He is detained at Jinja Road Police Station for safe custody. His files are being investigated by the Mineral Police Unit,” Mr Owoyesigyire said.
Mineral Police Unit investigators alleged that Lwasa forged a licence with signatures of officials from the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development that he has been using in the gold transactions in Barcelona, Spain.
It is further alleged that he contacted a company dealing in gold in Barcelona, Spain, claiming that he had 545kgs of gold he was selling.
Police said the company in Spain asked him to share with them a copy licence of his trading company, which he did.
“The Spanish company made verification with the Ministry of Energy in Uganda and the signature of the acting director of Geological Survey and Mines, Agnes Alaba, on the licence was found to be forged,” Mr Owoyesigyire said.
Officials of the Energy ministry alerted the police that commenced the investigations.
Luke said during the arrest, Lwasa was found holding another transaction, which they suspect to be dubious.
This is the second time Lwasa has been arrested on issues related to gold transactions this year.
In January, a Chinese national complained to the police that he paid Shs200m to Lwasa for gold, but he was allegedly given fake gold.
Lwasa was detained at Kampala Central Police Station for days on charges of obtaining money by false pretence and forgery before he was released on police bond.
Luke said the arrest of Lwasa is part of the operation against people who have been forging signatures of Geological Survey and Mines officials to dupe foreigners in gold scams.
