Joint security personnel have arrested James Eligu, a suspect accused of impersonating a soldier and mounting illegal roadblocks to defraud residents and fish traders in Serere District.
Eligu had reportedly been on the security watchlist following multiple complaints from community members linking him to a string of fraudulent activities.
His arrest follows an incident during a recent Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) operation on Lake Kyoga aimed at removing illegal fishing gear. According to security officials, Eligu attempted to interfere with the exercise, posing as a soldier and ordering UPDF personnel not to arrest suspects.
Lieutenant Phenehus Kyakabare Bugingo, the Sector Commander at Serere Barracks, said Eligu later escalated his actions by entering the barracks while still masquerading as a serving officer.
“He came here and attempted to order the release of suspects who had been arrested,” Bugingo said. “When I questioned him, he claimed to be an army officer and gave a false service number. He also said he joined the army in 1998, which raised suspicion since he claimed to be from my intake.”
Bugingo added that during interrogation, Eligu further claimed to hold the rank of warrant officer, but the army detected inconsistencies in his account, which led to his arrest.Following news of his apprehension, angry residents gathered and reportedly attempted to attack him, citing frustration over his alleged long-running scams.
Security officials revealed that Eligu had previously been arrested on several occasions while in possession of military uniforms and boots, which he is believed to have used to stage illegal roadblocks across the area. He is currently detained at Agwara Police Station as investigations continue-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com.
