The accused, identified as Master Don Sharif, aged 24, and two minors aged 16 and 17, appeared before Magistrate Ronald Kayizi and denied charges of obtaining money by false pretence and impersonation.
The magistrate ordered Sharif to be detained at Luzira Prison, while the minors were sent to Naguru Remand Home pending further mention of the case on October 20, 2025.
Prosecution told court that the trio created and managed several fake accounts on TikTok, Facebook, and WhatsApp, which they used to pose as Dr. Kiggundu and representatives of the Ham Group of Companies.
They allegedly promised followers employment opportunities, business loans, and education sponsorships, convincing several victims to send money as part of bogus registration and processing fees.
Investigators said all the suspects hail from Iganga District, an area that has recently emerged as a breeding ground for social media fraudsters. Police sources noted that a number of similar scams traced to the district have led to arrests and convictions in recent months.
This latest case is the sixth recorded incident this year involving suspects accused of using Dr. Kiggundu’s name in fraudulent activities.
In response to the incident, Ham Group Public Relations Officer Karim Serugo issued a strong warning to the public, urging caution when dealing with online solicitations.
“Dr. Hamis Kiggundu and Ham Group of Companies do not operate any youth loan, school fees, or financial assistance programs. Anyone making such claims is a fraudster,” he said, advising the public to verify all communication through official channels.
Police have urged Ugandans to exercise greater vigilance online and report suspicious accounts or offers to relevant authorities. They cautioned that the surge in impersonation cases poses a serious threat to digital safety and undermines public confidence in legitimate initiatives.
The case has renewed attention to the rise of cyber-fraud in Uganda, where conmen increasingly exploit the names and images of well-known figures to prey on unsuspecting citizens through social media platforms.
