Police in Wandegeya recently arrested Twesige Stephen Amooti Rulekere, a man allegedly posing as a Senior State House operative, after uncovering his role in funding and protecting a notorious ring of motor vehicle thieves.
Twesige’s fraudulent activities came to light following the theft of a Prado TX belonging to a relative of Uganda’s Prime Minister, Hon. Robinnah Nabbanja, sparking a direct confrontation between the two.
The saga began when the victim, who had imported the vehicle from South Sudan, was introduced to a man named Gilbert, a supposed clearing agent. Gilbert demanded UGX 20 million to process a legitimate Ugandan number plate for the vehicle. After receiving payment, he instead provided the owner with fake UAP series plates.
Gilbert also forged a logbook from Platinum Bank, attaching the fake number plates to the vehicle.
Investigations reportedly led to the discovery that Twesigye had been shielding this criminal ring, using his alleged connections to State House to intimidate victims and authorities.
However, the Deputy Presidential Press Secretary, Hajji Faruk Kirunda, disowned Twesige, confirming that he has never been on the State House payroll.
“The individual could be merely a fraudster pretending to be affiliated with State House to deceive Ugandans,” Kirunda told Eye Media on Thursday, October 24, 2024.
This is not the first time individuals have posed as State House operatives to defraud unsuspecting Ugandans. In 2020, a man named Julius Tumwine was arrested for falsely claiming to be a State House official tasked with securing jobs for the unemployed.
Tumwine collected millions from desperate job seekers, promising them high-paying government positions. He was eventually apprehended when his victims reported the scam to authorities after failing to get the promised jobs.
In another incident in 2021, a woman named Agnes Nankabirwa was arrested for impersonating a senior State House advisor.
Nankabirwa solicited funds from businesses, claiming she had the authority to approve lucrative government contracts. When her victims grew suspicious, she was reported and arrested by the Anti-Corruption Unit, exposing her deceit.
These incidents highlight a disturbing trend of fraudsters using the State House name to exploit vulnerable Ugandans.
The police continue to warn the public to verify individuals claiming government connections, especially when monetary demands are involved.
