The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court has remanded three individuals — a 24-year-old man and two minors — accused of posing as prominent businessman and philanthropist Dr. Hamis Kiggundu to defraud the public on social media.
The suspects, identified as Master Don Sharif (24) and two juveniles aged 16 and 17, appeared before Magistrate Ronald Kayizi and denied the charges.
Sharif was remanded to Luzira Prison, while the two minors were sent to Naguru Juvenile Remand Home until October 20, 2025.
Prosecutors say the trio allegedly operated fake accounts on TikTok, Facebook, and WhatsApp, pretending to be Dr. Kiggundu and representatives of the Ham Group of Companies. They reportedly lured victims with promises of jobs, youth loans, scholarships, and other financial opportunities, defrauding them of millions of shillings.
Authorities revealed that all three suspects are residents of Iganga District in the Busoga sub-region, an area increasingly linked to cybercrime. Several previous cases of impersonation scams have also been traced to the same district.
This incident marks the sixth case this year of suspects accused of impersonating Dr. Kiggundu.
Speaking for the Ham Group of Companies, Public Relations Officer Karim Sserugo warned the public to remain vigilant.
> “Dr. Hamis Kiggundu and the Ham Group of Companies do not operate any loan schemes, youth support programs, or school fee initiatives. Anyone claiming otherwise is a fraudster. We urge the public to verify all information through our official channels,” Sserugo said.
Authorities have urged Ugandans to exercise caution when engaging with online offers and report suspicious activity to law enforcement. They stressed that impersonation and cyber fraud not only put personal savings at risk but also undermine trust in legitimate business and charitable efforts.
As the suspects await trial, the case highlights Uganda’s ongoing challenge with cybercrime and online impersonation, a growing trend of scammers exploiting the identities of high-profile figures for financial gain.
