Security agencies have sounded the alarm over a rising wave of cyber impersonation scams after arresting four suspects accused of posing as President Museveni’s daughter, Natasha Museveni Karugire, to swindle members of the public.
The arrests followed an intelligence-led operation in Iganga Municipality that exposed an elaborate online scheme targeting people seeking financial assistance through social media platforms.
Investigators say the fraudsters deliberately preyed on vulnerable individuals by exploiting Mrs Karugire’s public image and online presence.
According to police spokesperson ACP Kituuma Rusoke, the suspects created multiple fake TikTok and WhatsApp accounts bearing Mrs Karugire’s name and photographs to appear legitimate. They closely monitored her genuine social media pages, identified followers appealing for help, and then reached out to them privately while pretending to be her.
“The criminals would engage victims and ask them to pay so-called ‘registration fees’ or ‘processing charges’ before any assistance could be offered,” Kituuma said, noting that the amounts demanded varied depending on the type of help requested.
Victims were directed to specific phone numbers to send money, with promises of financial support that never materialized. Police say several people lost money through the scam before it was uncovered.
Those arrested were identified as Ashiraf Isabirye, Rahman Mulondo, Zubair Kakaire, and Sharif Egesa. During the operation, officers recovered multiple mobile phones and SIM cards believed to have been used to coordinate the fraud.
The suspects are currently being held in police custody and are expected to be charged with cyber fraud and impersonation.
In response to the case, police have urged the public to be more cautious when engaging with individuals online, especially those requesting upfront payments in exchange for assistance, jobs, visas, or scholarships.
“Legitimate service providers and well-known individuals do not ask for money through social media as a condition for offering help,” Kituuma cautioned.
