The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court has remanded three individuals — a 24-year-old man and two minors — for allegedly impersonating renowned businessman and philanthropist Dr. Hamis Kiggundu to defraud people through social media.
The suspects, Master Don Sharif (24) and two juveniles aged 16 and 17, appeared before Magistrate Ronald Kayizi, where they denied the charges.
Sharif was sent to Luzira Prison, while the two minors were remanded to Naguru Juvenile Remand Home until October 20, 2025.
Prosecutors say the trio created fake accounts on TikTok, Facebook, and WhatsApp, pretending to be Dr. Kiggundu and representatives of the Ham Group of Companies. They allegedly lured victims with promises of jobs, youth loans, scholarships, and other financial opportunities, defrauding them of millions of shillings.
Investigations revealed that all three suspects hail from Iganga District in the Busoga sub-region, an area authorities say has become a hotspot for cybercrime. Officials noted that several previous impersonation cases were also linked to the same district.
This case marks the sixth incident this year involving suspects accused of impersonating Dr. Kiggundu.
Speaking on behalf of the Ham Group of Companies, Public Relations Officer Karim Sserugo warned the public against online scams.
“Dr. Hamis Kiggundu and the Ham Group of Companies do not run loan schemes, youth support programs, or school fee initiatives. Anyone claiming otherwise is a fraudster. The public should always verify information through our official channels,” Sserugo said.
Authorities have urged citizens to exercise caution when engaging with online offers and to report suspicious activity to law enforcement. They emphasized that impersonation and cyber fraud not only endanger personal finances but also erode trust in legitimate business and charitable initiatives.
As the suspects await trial, the case underscores Uganda’s growing battle against cybercrime and social media impersonation, a trend where scammers exploit the identities of high-profile figures for financial gain.
