A 53-year-old businesswoman from Mbarara City has been arrested in Kampala for allegedly defrauding an unnamed Member of Parliament of 60 million Shillings after falsely claiming to be an official from the Office of the President. Addressing journalists at Police Headquarters in Naguru, Police Spokesman Kituuma Rusoke identified the suspect as Hope Tumwebaze, saying she allegedly impersonated an official from the Office of the President to obtain money from the legislator.
Police said that between June last year and the subsequent months, Tumwebaze allegedly approached the MP on several occasions in different parts of Kampala, claiming she could facilitate the delivery of government services to the legislator’s constituency. She reportedly convinced the MP that certain government programmes had already been earmarked for selected districts and that financial facilitation was required to expedite the process.
Rusoke said the MP subsequently sent the money in instalments, believing it would help the constituency benefit from the promised government programmes.
“The MP sent money in instalments to the fraudster in a bid to have her constituency benefit from government programs. The suspect contacted her, claimed to be from the Office of the President, and said the Shs60 million was to expedite service delivery to the area. The MP then handed over the money,” Rusoke said.
Police said the legislator later became suspicious and reported the matter, leading to Tumwebaze’s arrest. Investigators believe the MP may not be the only victim and are examining whether other individuals were defrauded through a similar scheme.
“We urge all citizens and public officials to be vigilant. Do not respond to requests without checking first. If someone claims to act for the Office of the President, whether in communication, fundraising, or transactions, confirm with authorised persons,” Rusoke said.
The arrest comes amid an ongoing crackdown on individuals impersonating officials from the Office of the President and Natasha Museveni to defraud members of the public.
Last week, a joint operation by the Uganda Police Force and the UPDF Directorate of Defence Intelligence and Security (DIS) led to the arrest of six suspects in Nandekula Village, Nakigo Sub-county, Iganga District. The suspects are accused of operating a fake Youth Development Application Fund in Natasha Museveni’s name to swindle unsuspecting victims.
Earlier in February, security agencies arrested four suspected cyber fraudsters in the same area. The suspects allegedly operated fake TikTok and WhatsApp accounts bearing Natasha Museveni’s name and photographs, using them to solicit money from victims by promising financial assistance in exchange for so-called processing fees-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
