Fraud Ring Busted: Two Rwandan Nationals Arrested Vending HIV Cure Drugs In Masaka

By Swift Reporter

Two men are in police custody in Masaka City over an alleged scheme to sell fake HIV treatment and defraud vulnerable patients of millions of shillings.

The suspects, identified as Festo Mugabe, 37, a Rwandan national reportedly residing in Kigali, and Nathan Karamuzi, 28, a resident of Kyotera District, were arrested during an operation at a hotel where they had set up what they described as a treatment and counseling center.

According to Twaha Kasirye, the Greater Masaka Regional Police spokesperson, the duo is accused of deceiving dozens of victims by claiming they could cure HIV using herbal concoctions.

Police say the suspects charged between Shs150,000 and Shs300,000 per dose of the alleged remedy, convincing patients to pay for repeated “treatment” sessions. Authorities also recovered several herbal mixtures believed to have been administered to clients.

Investigators further revealed that the suspects allegedly encouraged HIV-positive individuals to abandon their prescribed antiretroviral therapy, raising serious public health concerns.

The arrests followed complaints from members of the public who questioned the safety and effectiveness of the substances being distributed. One complainant told police he had been referred to the suspects by a neighbor who claimed they had successfully treated a relative.

During interrogation, Karamuzi reportedly claimed that his co-accused had received the “cure” through divine revelation and that the mixture was made from tree leaves, roots, and grasses. However, police say there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.

Authorities are also investigating reports that the pair had begun building a network of intermediaries to recruit more clients, particularly targeting individuals seeking alternative treatment options.

Police have since cautioned the public against relying on unverified medical treatments and urged patients to adhere strictly to approved HIV medication prescribed by qualified health professionals.

Cases of individuals falsely claiming to cure HIV have previously been reported in the Greater Masaka region, underscoring a recurring pattern of exploitation targeting vulnerable communities. Investigations into the latest incident are ongoing.