The general state of security across the country remains calm and stable. The Uganda Police Force continues to intensify the fight against crime in all its forms.
Today, we are holding a joint press briefing with the U.S. Embassy in Uganda. The Embassy delegation is led by the Senior Regional Security Officer, Mr. James Bloomer.
The purpose of this briefing is to address the growing concern of visa fraud, which has affected many Ugandans seeking travel opportunities abroad.
The Senior Regional Security Officer will shortly provide detailed information about visa-related fraud. However, it is important to note that visa fraud is part of a broader pattern of general fraud and impersonation offences that are increasingly being reported in Uganda.
Many Ugandans are currently grappling with a wave of conmen and impersonators who present themselves as intermediaries or “fixers.” These criminals often pose as officials from government agencies, ministries, NGOs, banks, telecom companies, and other institutions.
Their common targets include people who:
Are unfamiliar with official processes
Are in urgent situations
Are looking for shortcuts
Are overly trusting or gullible
Are desperate for opportunities
To appear credible, these criminals use forged identification cards, fake introduction letters, and unofficial phone numbers or social media accounts. In some cases, they even use the names and photographs of real officers or prominent individuals to deceive their victims.
Once they receive money, they either disappear completely or continue demanding additional payments, leaving victims embarrassed and afraid to report the matter.
We would like to reassure the public that genuine public officials do not ask for money to perform their lawful duties or to help individuals access government services.
If someone approaches you privately, asks you to keep the matter secret, and demands cash “facilitation” to fix a file, secure a job, process a visa, or obtain a grant, treat this as a serious warning sign of fraud.
Before trusting anyone claiming to represent a government institution or security agency, always verify their identity. Contact the official offices, call known institutional hotlines, visit the nearest police station, or confirm through trusted channels.
If you are unsure, do not send money and do not share your personal information.
We understand that many victims feel embarrassed and fear being blamed.
However, we encourage anyone who has been defrauded to come forward and report the matter. You are not the criminal; the person who abused your trust is. Your report can help us identify these impostors, protect others, and dismantle the networks behind them.
Our investigators are already handling several cases of impersonation and fraud, and more arrests continue to be made.
We will continue to keep the public informed about these scams and remain committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that no one else falls victim to such schemes.
ACP Kituuma Rusoke psc
PRO UPF
