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Woman arrested for allegedly conning MP of sh60 million in fake State House deal
Kituuma said the legislator’s identity has been withheld to avoid jeopardising ongoing investigations.
Kituuma urged members of the public, including public officials, to exercise caution when dealing with individuals claiming to wield influence in government offices. (Credit: Alfred Ochwo)
By: Simon Masaba, Journalist @New Vision
KAMPALA - Police have arrested a 53-year-old woman accused of obtaining Sh60 million from a Member of Parliament after falsely claiming she worked in the Office of the President and could facilitate the legislator to access lucrative government projects.
Speaking at a press conference at Police Headquarters in Naguru on Monday, July 5, police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma identified the suspect as Hope Tumwebaze, a resident of Kamukuzi in Mbarara City.
Kituuma said the legislator’s identity has been withheld to avoid jeopardising ongoing investigations.
According to police, Tumwebaze allegedly convinced the legislator that she had connections within the Office of the President and could use her influence to secure government projects in the MP’s constituency, among other opportunities.
“The suspect allegedly obtained Sh60 million from the complainant by falsely presenting herself as an employee of the Office of the President with the ability to facilitate access to government projects and other government-related opportunities,” Kituuma said.
Police said investigations later established that the claims were false, prompting detectives to arrest the suspect.
“The suspect allegedly obtained Sh60 million from the complainant by falsely presenting herself as an employee of the Office of the President with the ability to facilitate access to government projects and other government-related opportunities,” Kituuma said.
Police said investigations later established that the claims were false, prompting detectives to arrest the suspect.
Tumwebaze is currently being detained at Katwe Police Station in Makindye Division and is expected to be charged with obtaining money by false pretense.
Kituuma urged members of the public, including public officials, to exercise caution when dealing with individuals claiming to wield influence in government offices.
“We continue to receive cases where fraudsters exploit names of high offices and senior government officials to extort money from unsuspecting victims. We advise the public to verify such claims through the relevant government institutions before making any payments,” he said.
Police said investigations are ongoing to establish whether the suspect defrauded other victims using a similar scheme and to recover the stolen money.
Under section 305 of the Penal Code Act, the offence of obtaining money by false pretense elicits a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, upon conviction.
Kituuma urged members of the public, including public officials, to exercise caution when dealing with individuals claiming to wield influence in government offices.
“We continue to receive cases where fraudsters exploit names of high offices and senior government officials to extort money from unsuspecting victims. We advise the public to verify such claims through the relevant government institutions before making any payments,” he said.
Police said investigations are ongoing to establish whether the suspect defrauded other victims using a similar scheme and to recover the stolen money.
Under section 305 of the Penal Code Act, the offence of obtaining money by false pretense elicits a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, upon conviction.