The Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) has arrested a man accused of conning people for money. The detained suspect says he is working with the unit as well as other government agencies like URA and ISO to enhance standards.
The suspect is Steven Ariho, who confirmed being on this duty for three months, saying, “I have been confident and directly engaged in this job in light without even a mask on my face for over 3 months reporting to my boss, Idi Ssentongo who told me that is working with CMI.”
In addition, he explained that his role is to track information about illegal activities, mainly fishing and cosmetics, that are being snuggled from Sudan and report to his boss, who immediately intervened.
When asked about the salary, he highlighted that he is being paid according to what they have picked from the victims, but in most cases, it ranges from UGX. 50,000 shillings to 100,000 per victim.
Kenneth Muwumuza, the head of the operation in Busega, which is under Natete police station, confirmed the arrest of this man who was asking money from people dealing in fish and other products like cosmetics.
“When we tried to ask much from him, he was talking about fish, and since there is a department that handles that sector that’s why we contacted the Fisheries Protection Unit from Entebbe to take him for interrogation,” he said.
According to Jimmy Kawuma, one of the fish trading leaders in Busega, the suspect has been telling his victims that he is working with the FPU, UNRA, and ISO to fight against smuggling and illegal fishing and enhance product quality standards.
“Several victims have implicated the suspect, but he had repeatedly evaded arrest until when we ambushed him while trying to corn a boda boda man who was transporting fish in Busega near Mityana – Mubende taxis park on Thursday, 7th November 2024,” Kawuma added.
Lt Lauben Ndifula, the FPU spokesperson, noted that after being notified by the Busega police, they acted positively, and the suspect is in their hands for more interrogation.
“This man is very terrible. Many people are complaining of being conned by him and he has not refused. With all this evidence, we shall take him to court directly,” he noted.
Ndifula condemned Ariho’s actions, appreciated the people of Busega for a collaborative step that has been done, and also asked the public to be vigilant and report such cases to the police.
Kenneth Sam Ssakya, a taxi driver, said that in less than a week, he had paid shillings 70,000 to the suspect after he had confiscated his client’s fish that were being transported to the market.
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