KAMPALA — Uganda Police, working jointly with sister security agencies, have arrested more than 10 suspects in connection with an alleged criminal racket accused of impersonating Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye on social media and fraudulently obtaining money from unsuspecting members of the public.
The suspects are currently awaiting trial as investigators continue to unravel what authorities believe is a wider network operating across different parts of the country.
According to investigators, the probe was triggered after increasing numbers of members of the public began flocking to the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), claiming they had been communicating with “Hajjat Namyalo” on social media, particularly TikTok. Many alleged they had been asked to send money after being promised financial assistance, business capital, scholarships, jobs and other forms of empowerment purportedly from the Senior Presidential Adviser.
However, upon reporting to the ONC offices, the victims allegedly discovered they had been communicating with impostors who had no connection to the office.
The complaints prompted security agencies to launch investigations, eventually leading to a series of arrests in what detectives describe as an organised impersonation and fraud syndicate.
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, the accused falsely impersonated Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye by presenting himself as the Senior Presidential Adviser and purporting to offer financial assistance by virtue of that office.
Investigators believe the suspect is among several individuals who allegedly exploited the names of senior government officials to deceive members of the public into sending them money.
Speaking about the matter, Hajjat Namyalo distanced herself from the fraudulent accounts, warning the public against falling prey 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 Ugandans to verify information through official ONC communication channels and cautioned against sending money to people claiming to represent her or the Office of the National Chairman.
Namyalo welcomed the ongoing arrests, saying security agencies had intensified efforts to dismantle the 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 identify more suspects.
Authorities 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 wider racket remain ongoing as the arrested suspects await prosecution.
