Residents of Kinawataka in Kampala were left shocked after a man pretending to be a senior police officer carried out arrests only to later vanish with stolen property and cash.
The incident took place on May 14, 2025, at Kinawataka Police Station, located in Nakawa Division. A man identifying himself as ASP Byarugaba James, claiming to be attached to Entebbe Police Station, booked his presence at Kinawataka station, stating he was following up on a case involving stolen property from Entebbe Hospital.
According to the report filed by Detective Sergeant Kawere Lazarus, the fake officer was accompanied by a real police officer, Corporal Khaukha Sam, and they both booked out from the station for duty. Byarugaba led Corporal Khaukha to a location where he said the stolen phone was being tracked.
At that location, they arrested Kalungi Brian, Nakimuli Reshima, and Namugaya Charity, allegedly recovering phones, shoes, and clothes said to have been stolen from Entebbe Hospital. The suspects were brought to Kinawataka Police Station for further questioning.
The situation took a strange turn when Namugaya led the officers to arrest her boyfriend, Oling Isima, from his workplace. On their way back to the station, Byarugaba asked to step aside and photocopy a national ID. That was the last anyone saw of him—he disappeared with the recovered phones and never returned.
Further police investigation revealed shocking details. Entebbe Police Station confirmed that there is no officer named ASP Byarugaba James, nor is there any police post called Musaana, which the suspect had mentioned earlier. Additionally, the SD references he gave were fake.
It was also discovered that Byarugaba had gone back to the suspects’ room and stole 450,000 shillings in cash, along with four mobile phones before disappearing.
The four arrested suspects are still in custody, waiting to be transferred to the proper station. Meanwhile, a full inquiry is ongoing to track and arrest Byarugaba James, whose true identity remains unknown at this time.
Police have opened two cases:
One for impersonation (SD Ref 37/14/05/25)
One for theft of cash and phones (SD Ref 36/14/05/25)
This incident raises serious concerns about how easily someone can impersonate a law enforcement officer and carry out arrests, misleading even actual police personnel.
Police are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious individuals who claim to be officers without proper identification.
