Police arrest impersonator

The Police in Jinja have arrested a man accused of masquerading as a commissioner of immigration department at internal affairs ministry.

Jacob Siminyu, the spokesperson of internal affairs ministry, said Keneth Wandera, 26, was rounded up by detectives on Tuesday morning at the Kyabazinga Oils factory in Jinja as 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 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 entering through 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. However, Wandera quickly fled.

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

Wandera who was paraded at the ministry admitted impersonating as 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 in vain. He said he printed the card he was using from Nasser road.

However according to one of the detectives who preferred anonymity, 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 pretending to be immigration officers, saying the officers usually put on uniform (green trousers and white shirts with badges) and are trained to be calm and composed.