By Our Reporter
Uganda Police, working jointly with sister security agencies, have arrested more than 10 suspects accused of impersonating Senior Presidential Adviser and Office of the National Chairman (ONC) Manager Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye on social media and fraudulently obtaining money from unsuspecting members of the public.
The suspects are currently awaiting trial as investigators work to unravel what authorities believe is a wider criminal network operating in different parts of the country.
The investigation was reportedly launched after an increasing number of members of the public started visiting the ONC offices, claiming they had been communicating with an individual purporting to be Namyalo on social media platforms, particularly TikTok.
According to investigators, some of the victims said they had been asked to send money after being promised financial assistance, business capital, scholarships, employment opportunities and other forms of empowerment purportedly offered through Namyalo’s office.
However, upon reporting to the ONC, the victims allegedly discovered that they had been communicating with impostors who had no connection to Namyalo or the office.
The complaints prompted security agencies to launch investigations, leading to a series of arrests in what detectives describe as an organised impersonation and fraud racket.
Among those charged is Bautu Collin, 19, a student and resident of Warugolgo Zone in Iganga Municipality.
According to charge sheet details 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, Bautu falsely impersonated Namyalo by presenting himself as the Senior Presidential Adviser and purportedly offering financial assistance by virtue of that office.
Investigators believe the suspect is among several individuals who have allegedly exploited the names of senior government officials to deceive members of the public into sending them money.
Commenting on the matter, Namyalo distanced herself from the fraudulent accounts and warned the public against falling victim to individuals using her name.
“I do not have a TikTok account, and I do not give out money through TikTok or any social media platform,” she said.
She urged members of the public to verify information through official ONC communication channels and cautioned against sending money to individuals claiming to represent her or the Office of the National Chairman.
Namyalo welcomed the arrests, saying security agencies had intensified efforts to dismantle the alleged racket.
“Many more suspects will be arrested. 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,” she said.
Police have also appealed to anyone who may have fallen victim to the alleged scam to report to the nearest police station or contact the investigating team, saying additional complaints could help investigators identify more suspects.
Authorities have further reminded the public that government officials do not ask members of the public to send money in exchange for financial assistance, employment opportunities or access to government programmes.
Investigations into the alleged wider racket are ongoing as the arrested suspects await prosecution.
WhatsApp/Call: +256 754 137391
