Ugandans and some foreigners who were arrested at Entebbe International Airport for forging PCR COVID-19 test certificates have been paraded before three different magistrate’s courts in Entebbe.
Police presented the suspects before the Entebbe Chief Magistrates, Juliet Nakitende, Phionah Birungi and Naume Sikhoyi on Wednesday, following their arrest by Aviation police between October 18th and 21st at Entebbe Airport for showing up with forged COVID-19 test certificates.
They include; Aidah Nakafeero, Duncan Luyima, Claire Nalugo Kayanja, her sister Helen Kayanja, Madinah Nakakawa, Anita Nankya , Viola Nakayenga, Teddy Nakaggwa, Angella Nabakooza, Esther Namugenyi, Mazafaru Kawuma, and Florence Nassozi.
Other suspects are; Nagam Venkata, Tesfay Habiteselase Welderas and Immad Eddin Taamin.
Airport authorities intercepted the suspects at Entebbe International Airport en route to United Arab Emirates, India and the United Kingdom among other destinations.
These have been charged with forgery and uttering forged documents. They have all pleaded guilty to the charges, prompting the magistrates to fine them UGX 200,000 for forgery or 13 month's imprisonment.
The suspects were also fined UGX 100,000 for uttering forged documents or 6 month's imprisonment. It is reported that they bought the fake COVID-19 test certificates from the Central Public Health Laboratories and Makerere University College of Health Sciences.
Angella Nabakooza says she took the test on October 20th, 2020 at Makerere University College of Health Sciences and the results were released the next day. Also, Duncan Luyima's certificate indicated that he took the test at Central Public Health Laboratories at Naguru Police Health Centre IV on October 18th, 2020 while Tesfay Habiteselase Welderas reportedly took the test from Ministry of Health Offices in Kampala on October 16th.
During court appearance however, the state noted that the dates on the certificates were edited to meet the validity period and the QR codes didn’t exist in the results system. Court released the suspects since none of them tested positive for COVID-19 after being subjected to fresh tests while in detention.
