On April 22, 2024, SCP Enanga Fred, the Police Spokesperson, provided an update on a recent case of obtaining money by false pretense targeting teachers in Obichako village, Logiri subcounty, Arua district, as reported by the West Nile Regional Police Headquarters. The incident involved a fraud scheme orchestrated by a suspect identified as Aja Victor Adame, targeting educators in the region.
According to the report, the scheme began in September 2023 when the suspect, posing as a staff member of the Honorable Minister of State for Higher Education, visited Logiri Girls Secondary School. Claiming to be on a mission to identify qualified teachers for promotions and promising government scholarships for top students, the suspect deceived the headteacher and subsequently, 31 teachers, 3 nurses, and 1 lab attendant fell victim to the scam.
The victims, hopeful for career advancement and educational opportunities, each handed over Ugx 1,000,000 to the suspect, totaling Ugx 35 million. However, after receiving the funds, the suspect disappeared, ceasing all communication with the headteacher and switching off his mobile phone. This prompted the headteacher to report the matter to Arua Vurra Central Police Station, leading to the apprehension of the suspect and the recovery of Ugx 2,000,000.
The swift action taken by the police resulted in the arrest of Aja Victor Adame, who is currently in custody pending further investigation. Statements from victims and witnesses have been recorded as part of the ongoing investigation to gather necessary evidence.
The West Nile Police Headquarters issued a reminder to the public to exercise caution and report fraudulent activities. They commended the headteacher for promptly reporting the incident, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in combating such schemes. Additionally, the police urged individuals who may have fallen victim to similar scams to come forward and report to their local police stations.
Enanga said as part of their efforts to combat fraud targeting teachers, the Uganda Police Force (UPF) continues to raise awareness about such schemes and encourages victims to report incidents. They emphasize the importance of protecting educators from exploitation and urge anyone who believes they have been defrauded or knows of a teacher who has been conned to contact the National Operations Command Centre at Police Headquarters.
He added that the UPF remains committed to safeguarding teachers and combating fraudulent activities aimed at exploiting them.