Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s court has remanded a boda boda rider, George Byaruhanga, over allegations of defrauding Centenary bank of Shs 332 million through an elaborate scheme of impersonation and electronic fraud.
Byaruhanga, 45, a resident of Nansana Municipality in Wakiso district, appeared before chief magistrate Ronald Kayizzi on Thursday, charged with six counts including fraud, impersonation, forgery, and uttering false documents.
Prosecution, led by Grace Amy, alleges that in February 2025, Byaruhanga used multiple identities including Ronald Kintu and Rogers Ainembabazi to unlawfully transfer Shs 332 million from a Centenary bank account in Kintu’s name to another registered in Ainembabazi’s name at Exim bank.
Court heard that the suspect used a falsified national ID to impersonate Kintu, enabling him to register on the bank’s biometric system, acquire a Visa card, and withdraw Shs 50 million over the counter.
He allegedly went on to transfer Shs 250 million to the Exim Bank account and made an additional Shs 32.2 million withdrawal via agent banking. Investigators believe Byaruhanga forged multiple documents to access the funds, including account opening forms and ID credentials.
The prosecution told court that investigations are still ongoing and requested for more time to complete the inquiry. Byaruhanga, who denied all six charges, was informed of his right to apply for bail.
However, magistrate Kayizzi noted that his sureties were absent and therefore remanded him until November 12, 2025, when the case will return for further hearing and consideration of bail.
If convicted, Byaruhanga could face several years in prison under the Computer Misuse Act and the Penal Code Act, which both criminalize electronic fraud and impersonation.
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