Police in Busoga East have arrested three men accused of creating fake social media accounts impersonating First Daughter Natasha Karugire and businessman Hamis Kiggundu in an alleged online fraud and extortion scheme. The suspects have been identified as 27-year-old Hassan Mugoya, 22-year-old Ashiraf Kyakatuka, and 20-year-old Asuman Isanga.
They were arrested on Wednesday night at around 11:00 pm from their hideout in Nampirika ‘A’ village, Nakalama Sub-county in Iganga District. According to police, the arrests followed a complaint filed by businessman Hamis Kiggundu at Kiwatule Police Station on 5th May 2026, reporting that unknown individuals were impersonating him through parody social media accounts.
Police say officers from Kiwatule worked jointly with their counterparts in Iganga, tracking the suspects using GPS technology before conducting the arrest operation. Busoga East Police spokesperson Michael Kasadha confirmed the arrests, stating that the suspects are currently detained at Iganga Central Police Station. Kasadha said, “The trio was using these fake social media accounts to extort money from unsuspecting members of the public.”
He added that the suspects also used the accounts to circulate blackmail content and defamatory messages targeting the individuals they impersonated. During a search of the suspects’ residence, police reportedly recovered three smartphones and other materials considered to have evidential value.
Investigations indicate that Mugoya allegedly operated two TikTok accounts under the names “Natasha Karugire” and “The first daughter Natasha mus.” Kyakatuka is alleged to have used a Samsung phone to run four TikTok accounts, including “janet. kataha.muse5,” “natashakar7,” “first.daughter767,” and “ssenga.naisanga.04.” Isanga, who reportedly used a Samsung S10, is accused of operating a TikTok account under the name “NATASHA.K MUSEVENI SOUL.”
Police say the suspects are being held on charges of impersonation and spreading harmful propaganda. Kasadha noted that the suspects will be transferred to Kiwatule Police Station for further interrogation and prosecution as investigations continue.
