The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces has warned of an increase in the number of conmen, who impersonate security personnel and then dupe unsuspecting investors in fake deals.
The Acting Director of Defence Public Information, Col Chris Magezi, said some of the conmen contact international companies and lure them into juicy security or business deals.
“We, therefore, urge members of the unsuspecting public to take extra caution and conduct due diligence while running their day-to-day business. Any suspected criminal behaviour should be reported to the nearest police or UPDF authority for timely and appropriate intervention,” Col Magezi said on Monday.
Col Magezi said mid-last year, they had registered 18 cases in which the criminals impersonated security personnel.
He cited one suspect, Godfrey Ssekidde Lubuulwa, who used fake identities of Maj Gen Sam Kiwanuka to con investors from Israel and Romania, who own Black Wolf Global, in a dubious security deal to train personnel of UPDF and police.
“They signed a contract worth US$993m. Ssekidde had promised the investors of Black Wolf Global that he had given them a contract to train security personnel in Uganda,” Col Magezi said.
He said it isn’t the first time Ssekidde has been accused of obtaining money by false pretences.
He said in 2021 he conned a Kenyan company and made off with US$310,000.
He said the suspect was arrested, but was released and jumped bail.
The accused was again produced in the latest incident, and he was remanded to prison.
Col Magezi also identified a police sergeant, Dominic Idro, who was also impersonating as a personnel of Defence Intelligence and Security before arresting innocent people, and extorting money from them.
“He was operating with his accomplices, Constable Zacharias Mitumba, and a civilian, Don Magerwa,” he said.
He said Rogers Ssentongo impersonated a UPDF officer and went to Kayunga Regional Referral Hospital, where he operated in the mortuary for three weeks.
He said some of the suspects are security personnel impersonating senior military officers.
In the UPDF records, Geoffrey Alele impersonated the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen Katumba Wamala, the Chief of Joint Staff, Lt Gen Jack Bakasumba, and the Commander of Special Forces, Maj Gen David Mugisha, while conning his victims.
“At one point, he impersonated those senior commanders to threaten the former deputy of Defence Intelligence and Security, Brig Gen Abdul Rugumayo. You can see how these people have no fear at all. We shall use the law to arrest and prosecute them,” he said.
He said the offences that involved the use of UPDF stores, armed robbery, and the image of the senior officers are being handled by the General Court Martial.
“Some of the targeted groups by the criminal elements include foreigners with business interests in the country, including multinational foreign direct … However, Uganda business entities and individuals at all levels of society have not been spared either,” Col Magezi said.
Last year, 8,455 cases of obtaining money by false pretences were registered by the police last year. It is the seventh highest offence in the country. The victims lost over Shs164b in cases of obtaining money by false pretences in the same period. The police were only able to recover Shs10b.
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