Kabarole Man Impersonates OWC Official, Cons Sh700M
By Steven Ainganiza
FORT PORTAL.Police in Fort Portal are holding a man for allegedly impersonating as District Agricultural Officer and Operation Wealth Creation boss to fleece farmers.
Steven Nyakahuma, a resident of Kibede in Mugusu Town Council, Kabarole District was reportedly masquerading as an officer to con unsuspecting people of their money, promising heifers under Operation Wealth Creation Program.
He was arrested on Tuesday at Buhinga Hospital following a police tip off by one of his victims. Nyakahuma was found with forged forms and lists of people he had conned promising to deliver the heifers.
According to the lists, he had conned farmers in Kabarole, Kyenjojo, and Bunyangabu among other districts. Beatrice Kabaitalyana, one of the victims hailing from Mugoma in Karambi Sub County explains that Nyakahuma approached her with files and Identity Card of Ministry of Agriculture, visited her farm and assured her that she would receive a heifer.
However, days later he telephoned her asking for a deposit of Sh100, 000 on his Mobile Money account before the heifer is delivered. Clare Kabatooro another victim says Nyakahuma conned her of Sh200, 000 in the same manner.
Kabarole Resident District Commissioner Steven Asiimwe says security has been hunting for the suspect following several complaints from farmers. Meanwhile on interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime, revealing that he was collaborating with a former district councilor Richard Nyakaana, who he says printed the fake forms they would use to con their victims.
He said they had accumulated about Sh700milion out of the scam. However when contacted, Nyakaana denied ever dealing with Nyakahuma, adding that he doesn’t even know him. The suspect is now detained at Fort portal Police Station.
Links
- 235 views
Join the conversation