By Ismail Bategeka
www.mknewslink.com
In Kampala—
Ugandan security authorities have launched a search for a 62-year-old Algerian national accused of extorting money from Congolese nationals while allegedly engaging in unauthorised mineral trading activities in the country.
The Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), working alongside immigration authorities, is pursuing leads to establish the whereabouts of the suspect, identified as Zine Laroussi, who is wanted to answer allegations relating to extortion and suspected illegal involvement in Uganda’s mineral trade.
According to police information, Laroussi entered Uganda in July 2026 on a tourist visa but allegedly ventured into mineral trading without obtaining the necessary business licence.
The suspect is reported to have been residing in Munyonyo, an upscale neighborhood in Kampala, while allegedly conducting mineral trading activities in Bunga, within Makindye Division.
Investigators are seeking to establish the circumstances surrounding his dealings with Congolese nationals, including allegations that he extorted money from some of them.
The case was registered at MIA Police Station under SD Reference Number 33/19/10/26, with Bunga identified as the alleged place of arrest.
However, the circumstances surrounding the alleged transactions, the amount of money involved and the number of people affected have not yet been established.
Immigration and mineral trade under scrutiny
The investigation raises questions about compliance with Uganda’s immigration and business regulations, particularly where foreign nationals enter the country under one immigration category but are suspected of engaging in activities requiring separate authorization.
Uganda’s mineral sector attracts local and international commercial interest, with gold and other mineral resources forming part of the country’s expanding extractive industry.
However, mineral trading is subject to regulatory requirements, including applicable licensing and authorisation procedures.
Authorities are expected to establish whether Laroussi possessed any relevant permits or business documentation and whether his alleged activities violated Uganda’s laws governing mineral transactions.
The involvement of Congolese nationals also introduces a cross-border dimension to the investigation, although police have not publicly established the full circumstances of the alleged extortion.
Suspect remains at large
CID and immigration officers are continuing efforts to locate Laroussi and bring him before the relevant authorities to respond to the allegations.
As of the time of publication, he had not been arrested, and no court proceedings had established his guilt.
The allegations remain untested, and the suspect is presumed innocent unless proven guilty before a competent court of law.