KISORO, UGANDA – Police in Kisoro District are holding two Rwandan nationals on allegations of fraud, after they reportedly posed as religious figures to swindle money from unsuspecting victims in a series of spiritually-themed scams.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The suspects have been identified as Mutuyimana Fils, 35, a film actor from Gatarara Village, Musanze District, and Mpakaniye Jelome, 34, an electrician from Gakyenye Village, Gakyenye District.
Their arrest followed complaints from residents who fell prey to their schemes, which began on July 23, 2024, when they allegedly contacted Moreen Okanyereka, an employee at Olexy Petrol Station in Kisoro.
Posing as her sister, Judith, from the Kabale Diocese, the suspects claimed to have received a divine prophecy concerning Moreen.
Under the guise of providing spiritual guidance and reading scriptures, they lured her to Kisoro Catholic Church Parish and convinced her to part with Shillings 800,000.
CUE IN: MOREEN ON THE SUSPECTS. RR
The scheme repeated on August 5, when the duo turned their attention to George Nteziyaremye in Rubuguri Town Council, allegedly convincing him that his family required urgent spiritual intervention.
They instructed him to bring Shillings 400,000 and a bottle of water to Shaaza Playground, with promises of spiritual cleansing and blessings. He was told to leave the items in a public toilet.
CUE IN: GEORGE ON BEING VICTIMIZED. RR
The suspects met the allegations with a staunch denial of all charges, declaring themselves innocent men who had no knowledge of the money or the people involved, whom they labeled as dishonest.
CUE IN: SUSPECTS VOXPOP. RR
Boaz Arinietwe, the Community Liaison Officer at Kisoro Central Police Station, confirmed the arrest and issued a strong condemnation of the fraudulent activities.
CUE IN: BOAZ ISSUING A WARNING. RR
The suspects remain in custody as police continue their investigations.