Stealing in the name of Museveni’s Daughter: End of 40 Days for Four Suspected Fraudsters

Four suspected fraudsters who have been stealing in the name of Museveni’s daughter have seen the expiry of their proverbial 40 days of a thief. Police says it has arrested “a group of cyber fraudsters who have been impersonating Mrs Natasha Museveni Karugire and defrauding unsuspecting members of the public.”

According to Uganda Police Force (UPF) spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma, security agencies have been investigating a cybercrime scheme in which criminals created several fake TikTok and WhatsApp accounts in the name of Natasha Museveni Karugire using her photographs and identity to defraud her followers.

Kituuma says the suspects targeted individuals who reached out to Natasha Museveni Karugire online seeking financial assistance.

The police publicist notes that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects accessed TikTok and other social media platforms with special focus on the account of Natasha Museveni Karugire.

The suspects also identified followers who were requesting financial support or assistance, registered multiple telephone lines on WhatsApp and other platforms “using Mrs Karugire’s photograph as the profile picture to appear authentic.” They also initiated communication with these followers, pretending to be Mrs Karugire.

“Once a victim requested financial help, they instructed the victim to first pay a ‘registration fee’ or ‘processing charge’, the amount varying according to the support requested,” Kituuma explained. “[they also] provided specific telephone numbers where the victims were directed to deposit or send the money.”

As a result, Kituuma continued, several individuals were defrauded of various amounts of money through this scheme.

He went on to say that they conducted intelligence-led operations in Iganga Municipality, leading to the arrest of four suspects. He identified the four as Ashiraf Isabirye, Rahman Mulondo, Zubair Kakaire, and Sharif Egesa.

“Upon arrest, the suspects were found in possession of several telephone SIM cards and several mobile handsets, which are believed to have been used in the commission of these crimes,” the police spokesperson further noted.

“The suspects are currently in custody and will be arraigned before court shortly to face charges related to cyber fraud and impersonation.”

Police has now cautioned the public “against paying any money to individuals online who demand registration fees, processing charges, or advance payments in exchange for financial assistance, jobs, visas, scholarships, or other opportunities.”

Kituuma says that “genuine service providers and reputable individuals do not demand such upfront payments through social media.”

He also urged members of the public to treat any request for “registration fees” or “clearance charges” made through social media or messaging apps with suspicion; verify any offer or request using official contacts and channels, not numbers sent to you in private messages; and to immediately report any suspicious online activity, fake accounts, or attempted fraud to the nearest police station.

Meanwhile, a prophet says that Museveni’s other daughter will get a big position in her father’s government.