Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the production and sale of counterfeit cement, which was being branded with well-known market names before being sold to unsuspecting buyers.
The suspects, identified as Ronald Onyango and Dauda Mutesasira, were detained following a tip-off from an informant whose identity remains protected for safety reasons.
Sam Twineamazima, the police spokesperson for the Savanna Region, confirmed that the Luwero District Police are already actively investigating the counterfeit cement case.
The incident occurred on Saturday, April 5, 2025, around 10:30am at Kasana Market and Kalongo Zone, located within Luwero Town Council, Luwero District.
According to Twineamazima, the investigation began a day earlier, on April 4, when the Officer in Charge (OC) of the Luwero Police Station received intelligence regarding a hardware store in Kasana, along Kasiso Road, that was reportedly producing counterfeit cement.
The OC is said to have swiftly responded to the tip-off, apprehending Ronald Onyango and securing the premises.
He explained that a team, led by the District Police Commander (DPC), District Internal Security Officer (DISO), Scene of Crime Officer (SOCO), and OC CID, also arrived to conduct further examinations.
Upon searching the hardware store and Onyango’s residence in Kalongo, authorities recovered several items, including bags of suspected counterfeit Tororo, Hima, and Fundi cement, empty packaging bags, and materials likely used in the counterfeiting process.
Twineamazima noted that the two suspects are to assist with the investigation.
He emphasized that a formal case of counterfeiting has been filed, and statements from relevant witnesses have been recorded.
He said samples of the suspected counterfeit materials have been collected for further analysis, and all companies whose brands were potentially used/involved have been notified to provide statements as investigations continue.
Twineamazima stressed that the police are continuing their efforts to gather more information as they probe the counterfeit cement operation further.