Police in Iganga, working together with the UPDF Defence Intelligence Security team, have arrested six suspects accused of running a fraud scheme in which they allegedly impersonated President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his daughter Natasha Karugire to deceive and defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
According to security officials, the suspects are believed to be part of a criminal network that created and operated fraudulent accounts while falsely claiming to represent the President and members of his family. The group allegedly used these accounts to target victims in different districts across Uganda, promising opportunities and benefits that did not exist.
The operation that led to their arrest was conducted on July 2, 2026, at around midday following intelligence reports about the activities of the suspected fraudsters. Security operatives launched a coordinated operation that resulted in the successful apprehension of six male suspects believed to be behind the scheme.
The suspects were identified as Mugudya Mustafa, 17, Maganda Murishidi, 18, Waiswa Muhammad, 21, Kaima Jamiru, 17, Mulawa Shafick, 17, and Ngobi Sabath, 15. All the suspects are residents of Nandekula A Village in Bulubandi Parish, Nakigo Sub-county, Iganga District.
During the operation, security personnel recovered nine mobile phones allegedly used by the suspects to carry out their activities. Investigators say the devices contained a number of fraudulent social media and communication accounts that were being used to mislead members of the public.
One of the major discoveries made during the investigation was a fake youth development application fund that was falsely presented as being managed by Natasha K. Museveni. Authorities believe the fraudulent platform was designed to attract people seeking financial assistance, grants, or development opportunities.
Investigators revealed that the recovered phones contained evidence linking the suspects to several fraudulent accounts that were actively being used to communicate with potential victims. The suspects are also said to have admitted to operating various accounts as part of their activities.
Security officials warned members of the public to remain cautious when dealing with online accounts claiming to represent government leaders, public officials, or members of the First Family. They emphasized that fraudsters often exploit trusted names to gain credibility and trick unsuspecting people into sharing money or personal information.
The arrest highlights growing efforts by security agencies to crack down on cyber-enabled fraud and impersonation crimes, which have become increasingly common as criminals take advantage of social media and digital communication platforms.
Following their arrest, the six suspects were transferred to Jinja Road Police Station by the Defence Intelligence Security team for further management and investigation. Authorities are expected to examine the recovered devices in greater detail to establish the full extent of the alleged fraud network and identify any additional suspects who may have been involved.
Busoga East Regional Police spokesperson ASP Micheal Kasadha confirmed the arrests and said investigations are continuing. He urged the public to verify information from official government channels and report suspicious online activities to security agencies.
The latest operation serves as a warning to individuals involved in online scams and impersonation schemes that security agencies are closely monitoring such activities and will take action against those found breaking the law.
