Kampala, Uganda: Uganda Police, working jointly with sister security agencies, have arrested more than 10 suspects in a major crackdown on an alleged criminal syndicate accused of impersonating Senior Presidential Adviser and Head of the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, on social media to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
The suspects are currently awaiting prosecution as investigators widen inquiries into what authorities believe is a well-organised racket operating across different parts of the country.
The operation followed a surge in complaints from members of the public who turned up at the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) claiming they had been communicating with “Hajjat Namyalo” on social media, particularly on TikTok.
Many of the complainants alleged they had been promised financial assistance, business capital, scholarships, employment opportunities and other empowerment programmes allegedly offered through the Office of the National Chairman. Before receiving the promised support, however, they were instructed to send money to facilitate processing or registration.
When the victims later reported to the ONC offices expecting to receive the promised assistance, officials established that they had been dealing with fraudsters who had no connection whatsoever to Hajjat Namyalo or the Office of the National Chairman.
The growing number of complaints prompted security agencies to launch investigations, culminating in a series of coordinated arrests targeting individuals suspected of operating fake social media accounts used to impersonate the senior presidential adviser.
Among those already 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 is charged with 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 represented himself as Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye and purported to offer financial assistance by virtue of her office in order to obtain money from members of the public.
Investigators believe the suspect is among several individuals who exploited the identities of senior government officials to deceive unsuspecting Ugandans into sending them money under false promises of empowerment.
Namyalo distances herself from fake accounts
Commenting on the arrests, Hajjat Namyalo categorically distanced herself from the fraudulent social media accounts and warned the public against falling victim to online impersonators. “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 any information relating to her activities through official ONC communication channels and cautioned members of the public against sending money to individuals claiming to represent her or the Office of the National Chairman.
Namyalo welcomed the ongoing operation by security agencies, saying efforts to dismantle the criminal network would continue until all those involved are brought to justice.
“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 appealed to anyone who may have fallen victim to the alleged scam to report to the nearest police station or contact the investigating team, noting that additional complaints could help investigators identify more suspects linked to the racket.
Authorities also reminded the public that government officials do not demand money in exchange for financial assistance, jobs, scholarships or access to government programmes.
Investigations into the wider impersonation and fraud syndicate are ongoing as the arrested suspects await prosecution.
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