Mbarara Businesswoman Faces Fraud Claims Over Shs 60 Million From MP

Updated by HICGI News agency at 1043 EAT on Tuesday 7 July 2026

KAMPALA — A 53-year-old businesswoman from Mbarara City has been arrested in Kampala for allegedly defrauding an unnamed Member of Parliament of Shs 60 million after falsely claiming to be an official from the Office of the President.

Addressing journalists, police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke identified the suspect as Hope Tumwebaze. He said she allegedly impersonated an official from the Office of the President to obtain money from the legislator under false pretences.

According to police, between June last year and the months that followed, Tumwebaze allegedly approached the MP on several occasions at different locations across Kampala, claiming she could facilitate the rollout of government programmes in the legislator’s constituency.

Police said she allegedly convinced the MP that several government projects had already been earmarked for selected districts and that financial facilitation was needed to fast-track their implementation. Believing the claims, the legislator reportedly handed over a total of Shs 60 million to the suspect.

Rusoke said the MP transferred the money to the suspect in instalments, believing the funds would facilitate the rollout of the promised government programmes in the constituency.

The legislator later became suspicious and reported the matter to police, triggering investigations that led to Tumwebaze’s arrest. Detectives suspect the MP may not have been the only victim and are investigating whether other individuals were defrauded through a similar scheme.

“We urge all citizens, including public officials, to exercise caution and verify any claims before making payments or responding to requests. If anyone claims to represent the Office of the President in communication, fundraising or financial transactions, always confirm their identity through authorised channels,” Rusoke said.

The arrest comes amid a growing number of fraud cases involving suspects allegedly impersonating officials or claiming links to senior government offices to swindle unsuspecting members of the public.

Last week, a joint operation by the Uganda Police Force and the UPDF Directorate of Defence Intelligence and Security (DIS) led to the arrest of six suspects in Nandekula Village, Nakigo Sub-county, Iganga District.

The suspects are accused of operating a fake Youth Development Application Fund purportedly linked to President Yoweri Museveni’s daughter, Natasha Museveni, to defraud members of the public.

In February, security agencies also arrested four suspected cyber fraudsters in the same area. The suspects allegedly operated fake TikTok and WhatsApp accounts using Natasha Museveni’s name and photographs to solicit money from victims, promising financial assistance in exchange for so-called processing fees.

-Observer

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