IGANGA – Police in Iganga District, working jointly with the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Defence Intelligence Security (DIS), have arrested six suspects accused of impersonating President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his daughter, Natasha Karugire, in an elaborate online fraud scheme targeting unsuspecting members of the public.
The suspects were arrested during an intelligence-led operation conducted at around midday on July 2, 2026, following investigations into a criminal network allegedly using fake social media and mobile accounts to solicit money from victims across the country.
According to the Busoga East Regional Police spokesperson, ASP Michael Kasadha, the suspects were using the names of President Museveni and Natasha Karugire to deceive members of the public into believing they were eligible for government financial assistance.
“Police in Iganga, in collaboration with the UPDF Defence Intelligence Security team, apprehended six suspects for their alleged involvement in fraud and impersonation,” Kasadha said in a statement issued on Friday.
He added that the operation targeted “a criminal gang of impersonators who were misusing the name of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, as well as that of Natasha Karugire, the President’s daughter, to defraud individuals across various districts in the country.”
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 are residents of Nandekula A Village, Bulubandi Parish, Nakigo Sub-county in Iganga District.
During the operation, security recovered nine mobile phones allegedly used in the fraudulent activities.
Police said forensic examination of the devices uncovered numerous fake accounts, including a counterfeit Youth Development Application Fund purportedly being administered by Natasha Karugire.
“The recovered mobile phones contained numerous fraudulent accounts, including a counterfeit youth development application fund purportedly headed by Natasha K. Museveni,” Kasadha said.
Investigators further revealed that the suspects admitted using multiple accounts to execute their fraudulent schemes.
“The suspects have admitted to utilizing various accounts to perpetrate their fraudulent activities,” he added.
The suspects have since been transferred to Jinja Road Police Station by the Defence Intelligence Security team, where they remain in custody as investigations continue.
Police have repeatedly warned the public against sending money or sharing personal information with individuals claiming to represent senior government officials or government programmes without verification. Authorities have urged members of the public to confirm the authenticity of any government initiative through official communication channels before making any financial transactions.