Bishop's son masquerades as State House operative, cons vice-chancellor

Atwooki at State House Anti-Corruption Unit offices after arrest

The State House Anti-Corruption Unit has arrested a man, who masqueraded as their employee and attempted to con Mbarara University of Science and Technology vice-chancellor Prof. Celestino Obua.

Peace Michael Baliisa Atwooki, 29, also known as Capt. Kisembo Lukwago, was arrested along Parliamentary Avenue on Friday. He had just received sh200,000 from Prof. Obua's cousin.

Atwooki is the son of Bishop Vincent Balisanyuka of Muhorro Christian Fellowship in Kagadi district.

Atwooki claimed he was in possession of 'very confidential' information linking Prof. Obua to former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Gen. Kale Kayihura and what he termed as elements in a neighbouring country involved in undermining the security of Uganda.

The money he got from Obua's cousin was meant to facilitate him to travel to Mbarara to brief the professor about his case.

Atwooki, who also claimed to be working with the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) and as a data analyst at State House, was arrested after the professor tipped the State House officials, who marked the money before he received it.

It is alleged that Atwooki had demanded that the money be deposited on mobile money, which Prof. Obua rejected. 

The suspect insisted even after arrest that he was an 'informer' with ISO operating under the command of a senior UPDF general. 

During interrogation at the State House Anti-Corruption Unit offices, Atwooki was allowed to make a phone call to the UPDF officer, but his efforts yielded no results. 

The head of State House Anti-Corruption team, Lt Col Edith Nakalema, directed Police detectives attached to her office to hand him over for prosecution. 

"I do not know why this man is not on handcuffs and why he is enjoying VIP treatment. Hand him over to Police for prosecution," she said. The suspect was immediately transferred to the Central Police Station in Kampala.

The suspect (left) talks to a State House Anti-Corruption Unit operative after he was arrested

Bishop Balisanyuka, later confirmed that Atwooki was his indeed his son. He said he educated him up to university, but was unaware of what he does now. 

Prof. Obua, however, said the incident comes at a time he is battling a group of university staff, who are trying to block his re-appointment for a possible second term in office. 

"When he called me on Wednesday morning he introduced himself as Capt. Kisembo Lukwago and refused to disclose the information on the phone. He asked me to instead travel to Kampala or I facilitate him to come personally," he said.

According to Prof. Obua, the suspect believed that linking him to former IGP and a neighbouring country would shake him. 

"He asked me whether I knew KK (Gen. Kale Kayihura) and I told him he is my friend. But because I knew I had no business with a neighbouring country, I guessed he was trying to con me," he said.

According to Prof. Obua, the man said he had intelligence information about him that would affect his job.

"I guessed the man knows me and probably has some clue on people trying to disorganise me," he stated, adding that the university council was handling his rift with some members opposed to him and expected justice. 

Obua said he was not yet sure whether the suspect was linked to the group trying to and malign him.

The suspect faces charges of extortion and impersonation