OThe Police wish to respond to a story published by the New Vision on its website and Facebook pages on https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/news/police-arrest-detain-american-lady-who-picked-NV_216169 , titled “Police arrest, detain American lady who picked plastics”. In the article, the publication specifically quotes me, the Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson, as having told a reporter that the suspect, Mary Grace Miller, had been “linked to an espionage-related racket.”
This is false. At no point did I make such a statement to the reporter. I have a record of our WhatsApp conversation, which confirms that no such comment was given. The matter under investigation has no connection whatsoever to espionage, as claimed by the New Vision.
For clarity, Police at Kabalagala acted after a TikTok video went viral in early August 2025, showing a white woman collecting plastic bottles in Ggaba. The video was accompanied by claims that she had been scammed and was now surviving by selling the plastics. Concerned by the allegations, the Police traced and located the woman for an interview.
Preliminary findings revealed that the woman is Mary Grace Miller, a 64-year-old American citizen and teacher by profession. She entered Uganda in September 2022 through the Busia border on a three-month visit visa, which expired on December 14, 2022. She explained that she came to Uganda for a spiritual journey, has been attending prayers at Ggaba Catholic Church, and initially had UGX 20 million for her upkeep, which has since been exhausted. She has been living in a room provided by an acquaintance in Bunga. Contrary to online claims, there is no evidence that she was scammed.
She was briefly detained while Police consulted with the Directorate of Immigration and the US Embassy, and she has since been handed over to Immigration for further management.
We appeal to the New Vision to retract the false espionage claim, as it not only misrepresents the facts of the case but also unfairly tarnishes the image of the victim by branding her as a spy.
ASP Luke Owoyesigyire Deputy Public Relations Officer for Kampala Metropolitan Police
