News
Bugweri accountant held over impersonation, extorting civil servants
Police cautioned members of the public, particularly civil servants, against individuals who impersonate government officials to solicit money or promise to interfere with investigations.
Mugabi's arrest comes amid an ongoing anti-corruption initiative targeting public officers suspected of involvement in corrupt practices in the district.
By: Doreen Musingo, Journalist @New Vision
IGANGA - Police in Iganga district have arrested a Bugweri Town Council accountant accused of impersonating the Iganga assistant resident district commissioner and extorting money from civil servants.
Suspect Emmanuel Mugabi, 38, is a resident of Bugabwe village in Nakigo sub-county in Iganga.
According to Police, Mugabi is accused of using phone calls to pose as the assistant RDC for Iganga Municipality and solicit money from public officers.
Busoga East regional police spokesperson Michael Kasadha said the suspect allegedly demanded between sh100,000 and sh300,000 from civil servants, promising to have their corruption-related cases dismissed in exchange for payment.
The alleged scheme came to light on Tuesday (October 13), when Tonny Nabala, who is the real assistant to the RDC of Iganga Municipality, reported that an unidentified person was impersonating him through telephone calls.
“The impersonator allegedly contacted several civil servants who are being investigated under the ongoing anti-corruption initiative, demanding money in exchange for promises to influence the outcome of their cases,” Nabala told police.
Kasadha said a case was registered at Iganga Central Police Station under reference GEF 36/2026, after which statements were recorded and a task force launched investigations.
“The task force retrieved information that led to the arrest of the suspect,” he added.
“The impersonator allegedly contacted several civil servants who are being investigated under the ongoing anti-corruption initiative, demanding money in exchange for promises to influence the outcome of their cases,” Nabala told police.
Kasadha said a case was registered at Iganga Central Police Station under reference GEF 36/2026, after which statements were recorded and a task force launched investigations.
Michael Kasadha
“The task force retrieved information that led to the arrest of the suspect,” he added.
Preliminary investigations have reportedly established that the suspect had made multiple contacts with civil servants, although police has not disclosed the total number of victims or the amount of money allegedly obtained.
Mugabi was detained at Iganga Central Police Station as investigations continue.
Police said he is expected to face charges of impersonation and obtaining money by false pretence under the Penal Code Act.
His arrest comes amid an ongoing anti-corruption initiative targeting public officers suspected of involvement in corrupt practices in the district.
Police cautioned members of the public, particularly civil servants, against individuals who impersonate government officials to solicit money or promise to interfere with investigations.
“We urge anyone approached by people demanding money in the name of government officials to report the matter to the relevant authorities instead of making payments,” said Kasadha.
Mugabi was detained at Iganga Central Police Station as investigations continue.
Police said he is expected to face charges of impersonation and obtaining money by false pretence under the Penal Code Act.
His arrest comes amid an ongoing anti-corruption initiative targeting public officers suspected of involvement in corrupt practices in the district.
Police cautioned members of the public, particularly civil servants, against individuals who impersonate government officials to solicit money or promise to interfere with investigations.
“We urge anyone approached by people demanding money in the name of government officials to report the matter to the relevant authorities instead of making payments,” said Kasadha.