Three men have been arrested in Iganga District for allegedly impersonating First Daughter Mrs. Natasha Museveni Karugire and businessman Hamis Kiggundu through fake TikTok accounts, police have said.
The suspects were identified as Hassan Mugoya, 27, a businessman; Ashiraf Kyakatuka, 22, also a businessman; and Asuman Isanga, 20, a boda boda rider. All are residents of Nampirika ‘A’ Village in Bukaye Parish, Nakalama Sub-county, Iganga District.
According to Busoga East Police spokesperson Michael Kasadha, the suspects were arrested during a joint operation conducted by officers from Kiwatule Police Station and Iganga Central Police Station following reports of impersonation involving businessman Hamis Kiggundu.
Kasadha said the operation was carried out on May 5 after security teams conducted surveillance to identify the suspects and their location.
“Prior to the operation, a surveillance team had been on the ground to monitor and identify the target point before carrying out the operation,” Kasadha said.
The suspects were arrested from Nampirika ‘A’ Village in Nakalama Sub-county, where police allegedly recovered several mobile phones used to operate fake social media accounts bearing the names and identities of prominent individuals.
Police said Mugoya was found with a Samsung A06 phone containing two active TikTok accounts identified as “Natasha Karugire” and “The first daughter Natasha Mus”.
Kyakatuka allegedly possessed another Samsung phone used to create four TikTok accounts, namely “Janet.kataha.muse5”, “Natashakar7”, “First.daughter767” and “ssenga.naisanga.04”.
Investigators further said Isanga was found with a Samsung S10 mobile phone allegedly used to operate a TikTok account under the name “NATASHA.K MUSEVENI SOUL”.
Kasadha said the suspects would be transferred to Kampala to face prosecution as investigations continue into the alleged online impersonation racket.
Police also revealed that earlier this year, on February 3, operatives attached to the Defence Intelligence and Security arrested several other suspects accused of impersonating Natasha Museveni Karugire on social media. Those suspects were later arraigned before court on related charges.
Kasadha said investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest more people believed to be involved in the scheme.
