By Swift Reporter
A damning investigation by BBC Africa Eye has uncovered a disturbing online scam in which Ugandans have raised more than $730,000 (approximately Shs 2.7 billion) from unsuspecting foreign donors by exploiting abused animals in staged “rescue” campaigns.
The investigation identifies Mityana District as a major hub of the scheme, where individuals allegedly use deliberately injured or neglected dogs to solicit donations from animal lovers across Europe, North America, and Australia.
According to the report, nearly 40% of the funds raised were funneled into dog shelters in Mityana, some of which investigators say operate largely as filming locations for emotionally charged social media content rather than genuine rescue centers.
The scam relies heavily on viral posts shared on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. These posts typically feature visibly injured or starving animals, accompanied by urgent appeals for financial support. In one widely circulated case, a dog named “Russet” appeared in multiple campaigns claiming it had been injured in an accident. The story attracted thousands of dollars in donations.
However, investigators found that the same dog was repeatedly used across different accounts, often run by unrelated individuals, to maximize contributions. In many cases, the animals featured in these campaigns reportedly never received proper medical care despite the large sums raised in their names.
Undercover journalists who visited facilities in Mityana documented grim conditions, including dogs confined in unsanitary environments, showing signs of severe malnutrition and neglect. At one location, about 15 dogs were found lying in their own waste.
One shelter operator, Charles Lubajja, admitted on hidden camera that the operation was profit-driven. He described how funds raised through platforms like GoFundMe were diverted for personal use, including buying cars and constructing houses.
Lubajja also revealed tactics used to attract donations, such as staging fake veterinary procedures and exaggerating the cost of animal care. More troubling allegations from activists suggest that some animals may have been intentionally harmed to generate more compelling content when scammers ran out of material.
Veterinary experts who reviewed Russet’s injuries indicated that the fractures were inconsistent with a typical accident, raising further concerns about deliberate abuse. The dog was later taken to a veterinary clinic in Kampala but died due to complications linked to its injuries.
The revelations have sparked outrage among international donors and animal welfare groups, many of whom say they were deceived into funding cruelty. Campaigns such as We Won’t Be Scammed have since emerged to expose fraudulent accounts and educate potential donors.
Local authorities have previously intervened in similar cases. In 2023, police in Mityana rescued 24 dogs and arrested suspects linked to another operation, though the case was later closed with warnings issued.
Animal welfare advocates, including Bart Kakooza of the Uganda Society for the Protection and Care of Animals, say the scam persists due to continued donations from well-meaning individuals who fail to verify online appeals.
Activists are now calling for stricter enforcement, stronger regulations, and increased public awareness to dismantle the networks behind the scheme. They warn that without urgent action, more animals could continue to suffer as tools for profit in an expanding digital scam industry.
