Man arrested over impersonating minister Kutesa

By Innocent Anguyo

A 33-year-old businessman from Wakiso district has been arrested over impersonating foreign affairs minister Sam Kutesa and demanding sh165m from an Asian investor.

Collins Kato, also known as Moses Barigye, was arrested at the Housing Finance Bank, Kololo Branch in Kampala by security officials and handed over to the Police.

Kato’s arrest followed complaints by Vasavada Asis, the proprietor of Mara Group located in Kololo, who informed the officers that Kato was allegedly demanding money from him.

According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Ibin Ssenkumbi, Kato allegedly told Asis that he (as Kutesa) urgently needed the money for a trip abroad to attend an international conference and that he would repay him by awarding him juicy government contracts.

Asis reportedly directed his employees to pack the money in a briefcase and deliver it to Kato. However, before they could deliver the money, the employees who had minister Kutesa’s phone number, became suspicious.

They called Kutesa to ask him how they could transfer the money only to learn that Kutesa was not aware of the plan.

After establishing that Kato was a fraudster, the employees informed Asis, who tipped off the Police.

Police officers then disguised themselves as employees of Mara Group and arranged to meet Kato with the money before they arrested him.