Journalists’ body warns members of alleged fake scheme seeking personal data

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The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) warned journalists across the country over an alleged fraudulent scheme involving individuals claiming to work with the State House Patriotism Secretariat.

UJA President Mathias Rukundo says their attention had been drawn to reports of people calling journalists and requesting their personal information under the pretext of registering them for Savings and Credit Co-operative Organisations (SACCOs).

According to the association, the callers have been introducing themselves as officials of the State House Patriotism Secretariat, and some journalists have already given out their data.

Rukundo said several journalists who found the requests suspicious contacted the association to verify whether it was involved in the exercise.

However, the association has since clarified that it has no connection whatsoever to the alleged scheme.

“The Uganda Journalists Association would like to inform all its esteemed members that it is not involved in this alleged scheme,” he said on December 31, 2025, cautioning journalists and media practitioners to disregard the calls.

"We just want journalists to beware of these people, especially those who have not been contacted. We are investigating this matter with the relevant authorities to know who they are and what their motive is," he added.

The Association added that its legal team has also been instructed to review the matter and take appropriate action.