Uganda has increasingly been recognized as a key transit point for gold coming from eastern DRC/courtesy photo
Security agencies in western part of Uganda have arrested four suspects(unidentified), including a one Alex for trying to sell 150kg of gold suspected to be part of the shipment stolen last year.
Uganda Police together with the army arrested the suspects on Tuesday, April 21 in the Kasese district, Western Uganda.
According to police, the suspects were tracked from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)-Uganda border at Bwera in Kasese District, a known transit point often monitored for cross-border mineral movement.
“This arrest represents a significant step in the ongoing effort to recover stolen gold connected to last year’s high-value theft,” one of the officers, who conducted the arrest, said.
He added: “This operation follows ongoing intelligence tracking and collaboration between security units. We believe the recovered gold may be part of a larger shipment stolen last year.”
However, the four suspects remain in custody as investigators strive to uncover the full scope of the network, including potential accomplices and cross-border connections.
However, the authorities in security agencies have not revealed the exact quantity of gold seized during the arrest. But forensic checks and traceability assessments are underway to determine if it matches the 150-kilogram shipment reported stolen in 2025.
The illegal trade routes in the Great Lakes region face increased scrutiny. Uganda has increasingly been recognized as a key transit point for gold coming from eastern DRC.
Recent cases reported by regional media have highlighted similar enforcement actions.
Earlier this year, security operations at Entebbe International Airport uncovered a 50-kilogram gold smuggling attempt, with investigators linking the seizure to broader transnational syndicates operating between Congo and global markets.
However, several analysts including academicians have pointed out that weak regulatory oversight and ongoing conflict in eastern DRC continue to drive illegal gold movements, often involving complex networks that cross multiple countries.
The arrests of Alex and his three accomplices(unidentified) may mark an important breakthrough in tracing the stolen gold shipment, but officials warn that key details—including the source, ownership, and intended buyers—are still being investigated.
