The Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) is hunting an Algerian tourist accused of extorting money from Congolese nationals and engaging in illegal mineral trading in Kampala.
The suspect, identified as Zine Laroussi, 62, reportedly entered Uganda in July 2026 on a tourist visa but allegedly ventured into mineral trading in Bunga, a Kampala suburb, without obtaining a valid licence.
Police want Laroussi to answer allegations of extorting money from Congolese nationals, which were reported at Bunga Police Station. Immigration officers are also pursuing him over his activities in the country.
Investigators are yet to establish the full extent of the alleged transactions and the circumstances under which the Congolese nationals were allegedly defrauded.
Laroussi’s case adds to a growing list of alleged gold and mineral-related fraud cases involving foreign nationals and Ugandan businessmen, with several suspects facing prosecution over purported precious metal deals.
In a related case, Kampala City Hall Court recently issued criminal summons against Uganda’s Deputy Mufti, Muhammad Haruna Bukenya, over an alleged $288,000 (about Shs1 billion) gold scam.
Senior Magistrate Edgar Karakire issued the summons requiring Bukenya to appear and answer charges alongside businessman Muzamiru Elias Lubega, who is the first accused.
Prosecution alleges that the two, together with other people still at large, obtained $288,000 from businessman Muhammad Kwaido on August 6, 2026, by falsely pretending they were selling him three kilogrammes of gold.
They are charged with obtaining money by false pretence and conspiracy to commit a felony, contrary to Sections 285 and 363 of the Penal Code Act, respectively.
The case was adjourned to November 25, 2026, after the prosecution told court that the file had been called by the Director of Public Prosecutions following a complaint lodged by Bukenya.
The allegations against Laroussi and those facing prosecution in the gold scam have not been proved in court.
