A suspected fraudster who has been impersonating officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) to con unsuspecting members of the public has been arrested.
His arrest followed a joint operation by the Ministry and the Police after several complaints from victims who had allegedly been defrauded.
The suspect, identified as Richard Kalema, is currently detained at Jinja Road Police Station.
According to the Ministry, Kalema had been fleecing citizens by falsely promising to facilitate motor vehicle ownership transfers, registration and acquisition of number plates.
He reportedly posed as a Ministry official and convinced victims that he could fast-track their transactions at the Motor Vehicle Registration Offices in Nakawa.
Ministry Permanent Secretary, Bageya Waiswa confirmed the arrest and warned the public against dealing with unauthorized individuals.
“In a covert operation supported by the Uganda Police Force, a suspected fraudster was arrested for fleecing unsuspecting members of the public of their hard-earned money, falsely promising to facilitate motor vehicle transactions,” Waiswa said.
He added that the suspect confessed to impersonating Ministry officials to process motor vehicle ownership transfers and registration, as well as acquiring number plates on behalf of clients.
Kalema is believed to be a ringleader in a wider criminal racket targeting citizens seeking government services. Police say investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest other accomplices.
The Ministry has since cautioned members of the public to only deal with authorized staff seated at designated service desks at the Nakawa Motor Vehicle Registration Offices.
Waiswa urged citizens to verify staff identification before transacting, avoid engaging agents or middlemen operating outside official offices, and refrain from making payments to personal accounts or informal channels.
“The Ministry, working jointly with the Uganda Police Force, will intensify enforcement operations to dismantle criminal networks targeting citizens seeking government services,” he said.
Members of the public have been encouraged to remain vigilant and report suspicious individuals to the Police or directly to the Ministry’s Motor Vehicle Registration Office.
