Published on 06/10/2025
The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court has remanded three people, including a 24-year-old man and two minors, on charges of impersonating businessman and philanthropist Dr. Hamis Kiggundu and defrauding unsuspecting members of the public through social media.
The trio — Master Don Sharif (24) and two juveniles aged 16 and 17 — appeared before Magistrate Ronald Kayizi, where they denied the charges.
The court ordered Sharif’s remand to Luzira Prison, while the two minors were sent to Naguru Juvenile Remand Home until October 20, 2025.
According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly ran a network of fake accounts on TikTok, Facebook, and WhatsApp, posing as Dr. Kiggundu and representatives of the Ham Group of Companies.
They are accused of enticing victims with promises of jobs, youth loans, education sponsorships, and other financial opportunities, through which they reportedly swindled millions of shillings.
Investigations indicate that all three suspects hail from Iganga District in the Busoga sub-region, an area authorities describe as an emerging hub for cyber-related crimes.
Similar cases of impersonation and online scams have recently been traced to the same area — this being the sixth case this year involving suspects accused of impersonating Dr. Kiggundu.
Speaking on behalf of the Ham Group, Public Relations Officer Karim Sserugo cautioned the public against falling victim to fraudsters misusing the businessman’s identity.
“We want to categorically state that Dr. Hamis Kiggundu and the Ham Group of Companies do not run any loan schemes, school fees programs, or youth financial support initiatives. Anyone claiming otherwise is a fraudster. We urge the public to verify all information through our accredited platforms,” Sserugo said.
Authorities have also urged Ugandans to exercise vigilance when responding to online offers and to report any suspicious activities to law enforcement. They warned that the rising trend of impersonation and cyber fraud not only drains personal finances but also undermines public trust in genuine charitable and business initiatives.
As the suspects await trial, the case underscores Uganda’s growing challenge of combating cybercrime and online impersonation, which continues to exploit the names and images of prominent figures to deceive the public.
