The public remains in disbelief following reports that a “man of God” was swindled out of shs700 million while trying to obtain licenses for his two television stations.
Bishop Grivas Musisi Kiwanuka of Prayer Palace Christian Center in Kibuye, Kampala, reportedly fell victim to a scam orchestrated by Daniel Kabanda and Ritah Namalwa, who impersonated employees of the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) and offered assistance in obtaining a license.
Police reports indicate that the pair disappeared after receiving the shs700 million shillings from the pastor.
It has been reported that the pair also provided the pastor with receipts that were later determined to be fraudulent by the UCC.
Musisi is said to have filed a fraud complaint at Jinja Road Police, referenced as CRB 846/2024, which initiated a manhunt that led to Namalwa’s capture, while Kabanda remains at large.
Subsequent investigations revealed that neither of the individuals was employed by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).
According to Luke Owoyesigyir9e, the Deputy Police Spokesperson for Kampala Metropolitan, Musisi, who serves as the Director of Dumanis Broadcasting Services owner of Dunamis Radio, submitted applications for a TV Station license to UCC on February 6, 2023, and April 3, 2023, in accordance with Section 23 of the UCC Act. These applications were approved by the Acting Executive Director of the Commission, Irene Kaggwa Ssewankambo.
It was found that Namalwa impersonated Ssewankambo’s personal assistant, while Kabanda pretended to be a UCC telecommunications engineer. The two allegedly managed to deceive the pastor into wiring an initial deposit of 150 million shillings for the TV license, followed by additional payments.
Musisi subsequently contacted UCC through his attorney, expressing concerns about the fraudulent actions of their purported employees.
However, the Commission disassociated itself from individuals named Kabanda and Namalwa.
“Based on the statement in your subject letter dated August 29, 2024, it is apparent that your client was defrauded,” UCC said in response, in a letter signed by Haruna Musinguzi on behalf of UCC.
Musinguzi emphasized that all documents attached in the letter, including the invoices and receipts allegedly issued to Musisi were forgeries.
The police reported that they possess a photograph of Kabanda and are actively searching for him to face the law.
