State House imposter arrested in Moroto

Moroto, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Police in Moroto district are holding 39-year-old Emmanuel Okello on allegations of masquerading as State House staff. He was picked up on Thursday morning after presenting himself as an intelligence officer from State House Entebbe.

The suspect is a resident of Aparisa village, Tubur sub-county in  Soroti district and at times stays in Katakwii town council. Micheal Longole, the Karamoja regional police spokesperson says that the suspect was arrested by a joint intelligence team while trying to fleece Joseph Emong, a resident of Moroto town with promises of helping him to secure a motorcycle and laptop, which he claimed were among the items being auctioned at State house Entebbe.

Longole says that upon interrogation, the suspect admitted that he used to act as a police officer and lawyer. “Anyone who could be knowing him or could have heard about him or has ever been conned money by the suspect anywhere can report to our district intelligence officer of  Moroto,” Longole said. He said the suspect is likely to face charges of impersonation.

Mary Nakut, a resident of Moroto says that such people should be jailed since many people have fallen victim to their scams. “I was conned 1 million Shillings by some people claiming to be state house workers who promised to help me offer my daughter a job,” she said.

According to Nakut, when she gave the conmen money, they switched off their phones and have never resurfaced in Moroto. Joseph Tebakol, another resident appeals to the government to impose harsh punishments on imposters, saying that they are taking advantage of poverty and the high number of unemployed youth to con them of their money.

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