Inside the Online Scam: Suspects Arrested for Using Natasha Karugire’s Name to Extort Ugandans

Police in eastern Uganda have arrested three young men accused of running fake social media accounts impersonating First Daughter Natasha Karugire and prominent Kampala businessman Hamis Kiggundu in what investigators describe as a coordinated online fraud, impersonation and extortion scheme.

The suspects, identified as Hassan Mugoya, 27, Ashiraf Kyakatuka, 22, and Asuman Isanga, 20, were arrested late Wednesday night during a police operation in Nampirika ‘A’ village, Nakalama sub-county in Iganga District.

According to police, the operation was conducted at around 11:00 pm after investigators tracked the alleged suspects to the area using digital and GPS-based intelligence methods.

Authorities say the arrests stemmed from a complaint filed by businessman Hamis Kiggundu at Kiwatule Police Station on May 5, 2026. In the complaint, Kiggundu reportedly informed police that unknown individuals had created parody and impersonation social media accounts using his identity and likeness online.

Investigators from Kiwatule Police Station later coordinated with officers attached to the Busoga East policing region in an effort to trace those behind the accounts.

Busoga East police spokesperson Michael Kasadha confirmed the arrests and said the suspects are currently being held at Iganga Central Police Station pending further investigations.

“The suspects were using fake social media accounts to extort money from unsuspecting members of the public,” Kasadha said.

Police allege that the social media pages were not only used to solicit money fraudulently, but were also involved in spreading blackmail material and defamatory information targeting the personalities being impersonated.

During a search conducted at the suspects’ residence, officers reportedly recovered three smartphones and several other items believed to have evidential value in the ongoing investigation.

Preliminary findings by investigators suggest that Mugoya allegedly operated two TikTok accounts under the names “Natasha Karugire” and “The first daughter Natasha mus,” both of which were allegedly designed to appear authentic and attract followers.

Kyakatuka is said to have operated four separate TikTok accounts using a Samsung mobile phone. The accounts reportedly included “janet.kataha.muse5,” “natashakar7,” “first.daughter767,” and “ssenga.naisanga.04.”

Police further claim that Isanga, who allegedly used a Samsung S10 smartphone, managed a TikTok account operating under the name “NATASHA.K MUSEVENI SOUL.”

Investigators believe the accounts may have been part of a broader online impersonation network targeting high-profile Ugandan personalities for financial gain and social manipulation.

The growing misuse of social media platforms for impersonation scams, cyber harassment and extortion has increasingly become a concern for authorities, particularly as fraudsters exploit the popularity of influential public figures to deceive unsuspecting followers.

Police say the three suspects are being investigated on allegations of impersonation and spreading harmful propaganda. Authorities added that arrangements are underway to transfer the suspects to Kiwatule Police Station for further interrogation and possible prosecution as investigations continue.

The case adds to a growing number of cybercrime-related incidents being reported across Uganda, where law enforcement agencies have intensified crackdowns on digital fraud and online impersonation targeting politicians, celebrities and business figures.