Police locked up an 18-year-old student for pretending to be businessman Hamis Kiggundu. Ruth Nandase appeared before Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi with her partner in crime, Babu Maniharah. Both said they did not commit the crimes of impersonation and cheating. The pair comes from Bugabwe village in Iganga district. They heard their charges on Wednesday.
Prosecutors claim Nandase, Maniharah, and others posed as Kiggundu from Hamis Enterprises Ltd. between 2023 and February 2024. They allegedly tricked people in Kampala Central Division with this false identity. One victim, Shafic Kawooya, lost about $13 when another suspect promised him a loan. Karim Serugo from Hamis Enterprises spotted a fake TikTok account of his boss. Police caught the suspects traveling back to Iganga.
The court sent them to Luzira prison because they had no one to stand as their bail guarantors. They must stay there until April 28, 2025. State lawyer Ivan Kyazze told the court that police continue to investigate the case. Frank Sempa, another suspect, already sits in jail for the same crime. The group allegedly ran their scam across Kampala for almost a year.
Authorities believe the suspects used social media as their main tool to reach victims. The real Hamis Kiggundu runs several businesses in Uganda. Many people trust his name, making it valuable for scammers to misuse. Law enforcement continues to search for additional members of the group who remain free.
Prosecutors claim Nandase, Maniharah, and others posed as Kiggundu from Hamis Enterprises Ltd. between 2023 and February 2024. They allegedly tricked people in Kampala Central Division with this false identity. One victim, Shafic Kawooya, lost about $13 when another suspect promised him a loan. Karim Serugo from Hamis Enterprises spotted a fake TikTok account of his boss. Police caught the suspects traveling back to Iganga.
The court sent them to Luzira prison because they had no one to stand as their bail guarantors. They must stay there until April 28, 2025. State lawyer Ivan Kyazze told the court that police continue to investigate the case. Frank Sempa, another suspect, already sits in jail for the same crime. The group allegedly ran their scam across Kampala for almost a year.
Authorities believe the suspects used social media as their main tool to reach victims. The real Hamis Kiggundu runs several businesses in Uganda. Many people trust his name, making it valuable for scammers to misuse. Law enforcement continues to search for additional members of the group who remain free.
