Police in Buyende are holding in custody one Keinembabazi Eunice for alleged impersonation and fraud.
The arrest followed a report made by the Fishéries Protection Unit Commander, Cpt. Katumba Jocob, in response to the public complaints against some members of security.
According to ASP Kasadha Micheal, the Police Spokesperson, Busoga North, by the time of arrest, Keinembabazi had conned about Shs15 million.
It’s alleged that on top of conning people for money.
She has also been masquerading as a Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) officer at the rank of a Colonel.
Her areas of operation have been Jinja and Buyende, targeting fishermen operating around Lake Kyoga in Buyende district.
Preliminary investigations suggest that whenever an operation against illegal fishing would be conducted, Keinembabazi would call Fisheries Protection Unit commanders introducing herself as Col Mbabazi and ordering the release of suspects.
He noted that on Wednesday, the suspect called one of the officers asking him to release some illegal boats that had been impounded.
However, she was tricked to follow up on the matter at the UPDF Detach, where she was eventually arrested from.
“It was yesterday when her luck ran out. She called one of the officers asking him to release the illegal boats that had been impounded. She was asked to follow up on the matter with the detach. On arrival, she was asked to identify herself, which she did, by masquerading as a UPDF officer. When she was asked to produce her identity card, she broke down and revealed how she was just a civilian,” ASP Kasadha said.
He added that on checking the suspect’s phone, they found her photo dressed in a UPDF uniform.
Kasadha revealed that this prompted her immediate arrest and detention at Bukungu Police Station.
He said a framed photo in uniform was recovered from her residence.
“Further investigations are ongoing. This arrest follows the one which was made last week where another imposter was arrested in Namasagali, for allegedly extorting money from fishermen in Namasagali and Kagumba Sub-counties,” he said.