Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court has remanded three individuals, including a 24-year-old man and two minors, on charges of impersonating businessman and philanthropist Dr. Hamis Kiggundu and defrauding unsuspecting members of the public through social media platforms.
The accused, identified as Master Don Sharif (24) and two juveniles aged 16 and 17, appeared before Magistrate Ronald Kayizi and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The court ordered Sharif to be remanded at Luzira Prison, while the two minors were sent to Naguru Juvenile Remand Home until October 20, 2025.
According to prosecutors, the trio allegedly operated a network of fake accounts on TikTok, Facebook, and WhatsApp, where they falsely presented themselves as Dr. Kiggundu and representatives of the Ham Group of Companies.
The suspects are said to have lured victims with promises of jobs, youth loans, education sponsorships, and other financial opportunities, through which they reportedly obtained millions of shillings.
Investigations revealed that all the suspects are residents of Iganga District in Busoga sub-region, which authorities say has increasingly become a hotspot for cyber-related crimes.
In previous cases, several individuals arrested and convicted for similar impersonation schemes were also traced to the same area. This latest incident marks the sixth time this year that suspects have been charged with impersonating Dr. Kiggundu.
Speaking on behalf of the Ham Group, Public Relations Officer Karim Sserugo warned the public against falling prey to online fraudsters using the businessman’s name.
“We want to categorically state that Dr. Hamis Kiggundu and the Ham Group of Companies do not run any loan schemes, school fees programs, or youth financial support initiatives. Anyone claiming otherwise is a fraudster. We urge the public to verify all information through our accredited platforms,” Sserugo said.
Authorities have also appealed to Ugandans to remain cautious when engaging with online offers and to report suspicious activity to law enforcement. They warned that the growing wave of impersonation and cyber fraud not only threatens personal savings but also undermines public confidence in legitimate charitable and business initiatives.
As the suspects await trial, the case highlights Uganda’s ongoing struggle with cybercrime and online impersonation, a trend that has seen increasing numbers of citizens defrauded by individuals exploiting the names and images of high-profile personalities on social media.
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