Two men held over fake money

MUSANZE - Police in Musanze are holding two people in connection with dealing in counterfeit cash. Amos Irisanganwa, a Ugandan from Kisoro District and Alphonse Nikwigize a Rwandan citizen, were arrested last week near Cyanika border in possession of Rwf2.5m worth of counterfeit money in denominations of 5000 and 2000. The money was reportedly printed in Kampala.  

Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Irisanga Amos and Alphonse Nikwigize with the counterfeit currency. (Photo/ B. Mukombozi)

MUSANZE - Police in Musanze are holding two people in connection with dealing in counterfeit cash.

Amos Irisanganwa, a Ugandan from Kisoro District and Alphonse Nikwigize a Rwandan citizen, were arrested last week near Cyanika border in possession of Rwf2.5m worth of counterfeit money in denominations of 5000 and 2000. The money was reportedly printed in Kampala. 

Residents tipped off police after information had leaked that the two men were trying to deal in the counterfeits.
The Regional Police Commander, Supt. Rogers Rutikanga, confirmed the arrest and said that residents collaborated to ensure that, the two were apprehended.  

He called upon residents especially those along the borders to desist such criminal activities. After the arrest, the suspects, admitted to dealing in fake notes.  

"We got the idea, from a friend in Kampala  called Bazima, who had sent us the fake currency samples and asked us to part with Rwf600,000 in exchange for the 2 million he was supposed to produce,’’ Irisanganwa  confessed.  

According to the penal code  article 194, dealing in counterfeit currency attracts between 5 and 20 years imprisonment and a fine on conviction.

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