Police have released the names of the two prime suspects at the center of a growing national ID forgery ring that has rocked the Karamoja sub-region.
The suspects, Elvis Ejjuu and Patrick Obwana, both residents of Moroto, are believed to be the masterminds behind the production and distribution of counterfeit National Identification Cards.
According to Karamoja Regional Police Spokesperson Mike Longole, the two played leading roles in forging fake IDs, complete with fabricated names, National Identification Numbers (NINs), and photo mismatches—all designed to dupe unsuspecting residents seeking to register SIM cards or access services requiring valid ID.
“Ejjuu and Obwana are key figures in this forgery network. We now have credible leads and are pursuing other members involved in this criminal enterprise,” Longole stated.
The breakthrough follows earlier arrests, including a middleman in Nakapiripirit District, after multiple complaints were filed by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and victims who were rejected by mobile service providers due to invalid ID details.
Susan Talep, NIRA’s regional coordinator, confirmed that the suspects were not NIRA staff but impostors posing as registration officials, charging individuals money to produce the fake IDs.
“These are not photocopies. These are complete forgeries—fake card numbers, fake names, fake images, and fake NINs,” Talep said.
Police say the suspects are currently being held at Moroto Central Police Station as investigations intensify. Longole added that more arrests are expected, and the public will be updated once the ongoing crackdown on the syndicate is completed.
Authorities have warned the public to remain alert and report any suspicious ID services or unauthorized individuals claiming to represent NIRA.