Iganga Businessman Arrested Over Alleged Fake Shs4.7m Robbery

[Archival Sense]

Police in Iganga have arrested businessman Mawazi Waiswa for allegedly fabricating an aggravated robbery in which he claimed to have lost Shs4.7 million.

Waiswa is being detained at Iganga Central Police Station pending further investigations and prosecution, according to Busoga East Police spokesperson Michael Kasadha.

Police allege that Waiswa reported the robbery on October 18, 2026, claiming that four armed men intercepted him along the Iganga–Tirinyi road as he returned from delivering goods to Mbale City.

In his initial statement, Waiswa reportedly told police that the suspects were travelling in a Toyota RAV4 without number plates and had disguised themselves as traffic police officers. They allegedly stopped his truck, registration number UA 717BN, demanded money and threatened to kill him if he refused to comply.

He claimed to have handed over Shs4.7 million before reporting the incident at Iganga Central Police Station.

However, investigators reportedly became suspicious of his account, prompting the police crime intelligence team, led by Ismael Ssennono, to revisit the alleged crime scene and scrutinise his statements.

Police subsequently reviewed highway CCTV footage, which reportedly showed that the truck had not travelled beyond Iganga town on the day of the alleged robbery.

Investigators also analysed telecommunications data that reportedly placed Waiswa around Busei Village in Nakalama Sub-county, Iganga District, on October 18, contradicting his account of being attacked along the highway.

During further questioning on the evening of October 19, Waiswa allegedly admitted that the robbery had not occurred.

According to police, he told investigators that he had fabricated the report to pressure the truck's owner into paying him Shs1.4 million in outstanding commission from a vehicle sale.

Waiswa reportedly said he had brokered the sale of truck UA 717BN alongside a colleague, Ramadthan Owor, who allegedly failed to pay him his commission following the transaction.

Kasadha said providing false information to police contravenes Section 115 of the Penal Code Act and that Waiswa would be charged in court.

He warned that fabricated crime reports divert police personnel and other resources from investigating genuine offences and responding to security concerns.

Kasadha added that two other suspects allegedly involved in concocting the false robbery report had also been arrested and detained at Iganga Central Police Station.

He urged the public to provide truthful information when reporting crimes, warning that false complaints unnecessarily burden investigators and delay responses to genuine cases.

Courtesy photo