KAMPALA — Police, working jointly with other security agencies, have arrested more than 10 suspects over an alleged fraud racket accused of impersonating Senior Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs and Head of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, on social media to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
Authorities said the suspects are in custody awaiting prosecution as investigations continue into what detectives believe is a well-organised criminal network operating across different parts of the country.
According to investigators, the inquiry began after increasing numbers of people reported to the Office of the National Chairman claiming they had been communicating with accounts purporting to belong to Hajjat Namyalo, particularly on TikTok. The victims alleged that they had been promised financial assistance, business capital, scholarships, employment opportunities and other empowerment packages but were first instructed to send money to facilitate the process.
Upon reporting to the ONC offices, the complainants discovered that the accounts were fraudulent and had no connection to Hajjat Namyalo or the Office of the National Chairman.
The complaints prompted a joint security operation that led to the arrest of several suspects believed to be part of an organised impersonation and fraud syndicate.
Among those charged is Bautu Collin, 19, a student and resident of Warugolgo Zone in Iganga Municipality.
According to the charge sheet under CRB 461/2026 at Kira Police Division and Case No. 1003/26 before the Resident State Attorney in Kira, Bautu faces charges of personating a public officer contrary to Section 354(1) of the Penal Code Act and obtaining money by false pretences contrary to Section 285 of the Penal Code Act.
Prosecutors allege that on May 4, 2026, at Najjera in Wakiso District, the accused falsely presented himself as Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye and purported to offer financial assistance by virtue of her office, with the intention of obtaining money from members of the public.
Investigators believe the suspect is among several individuals who exploited the names of senior government officials to deceive victims into sending money under false promises of accessing government support programmes.
Speaking on the matter, Hajjat Namyalo distanced herself from the fraudulent social media accounts and urged the public to remain vigilant.
“I do not have a TikTok account, and I do not give out money through TikTok or any social media platform,” she said.
She advised members of the public to rely only on official communication channels of the Office of the National Chairman and cautioned against sending money to individuals claiming to represent her or the office.
Hajjat Namyalo welcomed the ongoing security operation, saying investigations had been intensified to dismantle the criminal network.
“We are working closely with the relevant security agencies to ensure that everyone involved in impersonating me and defrauding innocent Ugandans is brought to justice. More suspects will be arrested,” she said.
Police have appealed to anyone who may have fallen victim to the alleged scam to report to the nearest police station or contact the investigating team, noting that additional complaints could assist investigators in identifying more suspects linked to the racket.
Authorities also reminded the public that government officials do not ask citizens to send money in exchange for financial assistance, employment opportunities or access to government programmes.
Investigations into the alleged fraud network are ongoing as the suspects await prosecution.