Mbarara businesswoman Tumwebaze cons MP out of Shs 60 million

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, saying she allegedly impersonated an official from the Office of the President to obtain money from the legislator.

Police said that between June last year and the months that followed, Tumwebaze allegedly approached the MP on several occasions in different parts of Kampala, claiming she could facilitate the delivery of government programmes to the legislator’s constituency.

She reportedly convinced the MP that certain government projects had already been earmarked for selected districts and that financial facilitation was required to expedite their implementation.

Rusoke said the MP subsequently transferred the money to the suspect in instalments, believing it would enable the constituency to benefit from the promised government programmes.

Police said the legislator later became suspicious and reported the matter, leading to Tumwebaze’s arrest. Investigators believe the MP may not be the only victim and are examining whether other individuals were defrauded through a similar scheme.

“We urge all citizens and public officials to be vigilant. Do not respond to requests without checking first. If someone claims to act for the Office of the President, whether in communication, fundraising, or transactions, confirm with authorised persons,” Rusoke said.

The arrest comes amid a series of similar fraud cases involving individuals falsely claiming links to senior government offices.

Last week, a joint operation by the police 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 in the name of President Yoweri Museveni’s daughter, Natasha Museveni, to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

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

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