KAMPALA, Uganda — The Uganda Police Force has issued a clarification regarding the death of a suspected fraudster in Kiwatule, admitting that its initial statement on the incident contained inaccuracies due to a communication gap at the reporting stage.
Addressing the matter on Monday, Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner of Police Rusoke Kituuma said the force regretted the earlier misrepresentation and confirmed that the incident had indeed been reported and investigated under Kiwatule Police Station.
“In our initial statement, there was an unintended misrepresentation suggesting that the incident had not occurred. This resulted from a communication gap in the preliminary information received from Kiwatule Police Station,” Kituuma said.
“We regret this shortfall and wish to provide the correct position.”
According to police, the case was registered under CRB 064/2026 and relates to an alleged online rental scam that occurred in Kazinga Zone, Kiwatule Parish, Nakawa Division, Kampala.
Preliminary investigations indicate that a client searching for rental property through online marketplace Jiji Uganda came into contact with a man identified as Lubega Fahad, 30, who allegedly posed as a property agent.
Police said the complainant was shown a house in Kyanja and subsequently agreed to rent it at a monthly rate of Shs3 million. The alleged agent reportedly instructed the prospective tenant to deposit Shs12 million, covering three months’ rent and a security deposit, into a Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) account registered in Lubega’s names.
The payment was reportedly made on June 2, 2026, at Metroplex Mall.
However, when the complainant later returned to the property, he was informed by the caretaker that the house was not available for rent and was instead being offered for sale.
“The complainant attempted to reverse the transaction, but the funds had already been withdrawn,” Kituuma said.
Police said the victim was advised to formally report the matter but later received information that the suspect had been sighted at a bank branch.
Upon arriving at the bank, the complainant reportedly found that Lubega had already been apprehended.
Investigators say the suspect subsequently escaped while under the watch of a bank security guard, triggering a pursuit by members of the public.
“It is alleged that the suspect later escaped from the bank while under the watch of the bank security guard, prompting members of the public to pursue and assault him,” Kituuma explained.
Police officers responding to the scene reportedly found the suspect already apprehended and in a weakened condition.
“He appeared weak, although no visible torture marks were observed at the time,” the police spokesperson noted.
The suspect was then transported to Kiwatule Police Station and placed in custody. However, according to police, he died shortly after arriving at the station.
His body was later transferred to Mulago City Mortuary for a postmortem examination to establish the exact cause of death.
Police said investigations remain ongoing into both the alleged fraud case and the circumstances surrounding the mob assault that preceded the suspect’s death.
The force condemned mob justice and urged the public to allow law enforcement agencies to handle criminal suspects through established legal procedures.
“The Uganda Police Force strongly condemns acts of mob justice and urges members of the public to hand over suspects to law enforcement agencies for proper handling in accordance with the law,” Kituuma said.
Police further apologized for the earlier misinformation and pledged to improve communication with the public.
“We once again regret the earlier miscommunication and reaffirm our commitment to providing accurate, timely, and accountable information to the public,” he added.
The incident has renewed concerns about the growing prevalence of online property scams and the dangers of mob justice, which authorities say continue to undermine the rule of law and criminal investigations.
