KAMPALA, Uganda — Three individuals, including a 24-year-old man and two minors, have been remanded by the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court on charges of impersonating prominent businessman and philanthropist Dr. Hamis Kiggundu to defraud the public through fake social media accounts.
The accused, Don Sharif (24), along with two juveniles aged 16 and 17 appeared before Magistrate Ronald Kayizi and pleaded not guilty to the charges. Sharif was remanded to Luzira Prison, while the minors were sent to Naguru Juvenile Remand Home until October 20, 2025.
According to the prosecution, the trio operated a network of fraudulent accounts on TikTok, Facebook, and WhatsApp, posing as Dr. Kiggundu and representatives of the Ham Group of Companies. Using these accounts, they allegedly promised jobs, youth loans, educational sponsorships, and other financial opportunities to unsuspecting victims, reportedly defrauding them of millions of shillings.
Investigations revealed that all three suspects are residents of Iganga District in the Busoga sub-region a region authorities say is increasingly becoming a hotspot for cyber-related crimes. Law enforcement officials noted that several individuals previously arrested for similar offenses have also been traced to the same area.
Karim Sserugo, Public Relations Officer for the Ham Group, issued a public warning, urging Ugandans to remain vigilant and avoid falling victim to online scams.
“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 emphasized.
Authorities have also appealed to the public to report suspicious activity and exercise caution when engaging with online offers. They warned that the rise in impersonation and cyber fraud not only threatens personal finances but also damages trust in legitimate charitable and business efforts.
This is the sixth reported case this year involving individuals charged with impersonating Dr. Kiggundu for fraudulent gain.
