Man arrested for impersonating immigration commissioner

The Immigration department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Police has arrested Keneth Wandera, who has been posing as a 'commissioner' at the ministry to defraud business people.
            
Jacob Siminyu, the Ministry's spokesperson said Wandera, 26, was rounded up by detectives on Tuesday morning at the Kyabazinga Oils factory in Jinja from where he was asking for a bribe of sh10m from the proprietors.
            
"The same Wandera went to Fontana Auto Parts, a factory on 6th street industrial area on Saturday last week and attempted to defraud the owners by pretending to ask for immigration records and a fee he had not yet disclosed," Siminyu said.

It is against this background that a team of detectives were dispatched to Jinja to arrest him.

In video footage the New Vision saw from one of the Closed Circuit Television (CCtv) cameras at Fontana Auto Parts, Wandera, clad in a suit and a tie, is seen bypassing the main gate which was open. A few minutes later, the footage shows him moving around a car and eventually walking majestically inside the factory.

Manji Anverali, the chairman Fontana, said Wandera demanded for all the documentations, letter of appointment and his immigration status in an arrogant and rough manner.

Anverali said the suspect's conduct prompted him to call immigration to find out whether he was actually a commissioner. On sensing danger, Wander quickly fled.

"When I called him on phone, he told me to send the documents he had asked for via email," He added.

Wandera, who was paraded at the Ministry that day, admitted impersonating a commissioner. He however said he did it to avenge his sister's death.

"My sister was working at the Kyabazinga factory and was abused by one of the Indians who was working there. She eventually died late last year," Wandera said, adding that he reported the matter to police but nothing was done.

He said he printed the card he was using from Nasser road.

However according to one of the detectives who preferred anonymity, said his case was never recorded at the Jinja Central Police station.

A case has been opened at Jinja Central Police station under file SD52/9/2/2016 and he will be charged for impersonation.

Siminyu cautioned the public against those masquerading as immigration officers, saying the officers usually put on uniform (green trousers and white shirts with badges) and are trained to be calm and composed.