Three people, including a 24-year-old man and two minors, have been sent on remand for allegedly impersonating Kampala businessman Hamis Kiggundu, in an online fraud scheme that targeted unsuspecting Ugandans.
The trio, Master Don Sharif (24) and two juveniles aged 16 and 17 appeared before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizi on Monday, where they denied the charges.
The magistrate ordered Sharif to be detained at Luzira Prison, while the minors were committed to Naguru Juvenile Remand Home until October 20, 2025.
Prosecution told court that the suspects allegedly ran a network of fake social media accounts on TikTok, Facebook, and WhatsApp, impersonating Dr. Kiggundu and the Ham Group of Companies to solicit money from the public.
They reportedly promised victims jobs, youth loans, and education sponsorships scams that earned them millions of shillings.
Investigations revealed that all three suspects hail from Iganga District in the Busoga sub-region, an area authorities describe as a growing hub for cyber-related crime.
This case is the sixth incident this year involving individuals accused of impersonating Dr. Kiggundu for financial gain.
Speaking on behalf of the Ham Group, Public Relations Officer Karim Sserugo condemned the persistent impersonation of the businessman and urged Ugandans to remain cautious online.
“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.
Sserugo further advised the public to confirm any business or charitable information through the company’s official communication channels before taking action, warning that fraudsters continue to exploit Dr. Kiggundu’s popularity to scam people.
Police have since urged Ugandans to be alert to cybercrime and report any suspicious activity.
Authorities warned that the surge in online impersonation and fraud not only drains victims’ savings but also erodes trust in legitimate companies and charitable efforts.
The case adds to a rising trend of cyber fraud in Uganda, with high-profile names increasingly being misused by online scammers to exploit vulnerable citizens through fake digital platforms.
