KAMPALA, Uganda
Uganda Police Force has issued a clarification regarding the death of a suspected fraudster in Kiwatule, acknowledging that an earlier statement contained inaccurate information due to a communication gap during preliminary reporting.
Police spokesperson ACP Kituuma Rusoke said the incident was formally reported and investigated under CRB 064/2026 at Kiwatule Police Station under Kira Road Police Division.
According to police, the case began when a man searching for rental property online through Jiji Uganda allegedly came into contact with Lubega Fahad, 30, who reportedly presented himself as a property agent.
Investigators say the complainant inspected a house in Kyanja and agreed to rent it for UGX 3 million per month. He was then allegedly instructed to deposit UGX 12 million, covering three months’ rent and a security deposit, into a DTB Bank account registered in Lubega Fahad’s names.
Police say the payment was made on June 2, 2026, at Metroplex Mall.
Problems reportedly emerged when the complainant returned to the property and was informed by the caretaker that the house was not available for rent and was instead being offered for sale.
Attempts to reverse the transaction reportedly failed because the money had already been withdrawn.
The complainant was advised to formally report the matter to police. However, before doing so, he allegedly received information that the suspect had been seen at a bank.
According to police findings, the suspect had already been apprehended when the complainant arrived at the bank.
Police say Lubega later escaped while under the watch of a bank security guard, prompting members of the public to chase and assault him.
By the time officers intervened, the suspect had been recaptured by members of the public and appeared physically weak.
“Police found that the suspect had already been apprehended and appeared weak, although no visible torture marks were observed at the time,” ACP Kituuma Rusoke said.
Lubega was subsequently taken to Kiwatule Police Station, but police say he died shortly after arriving at the station.
His body was transferred to Mulago City Mortuary for a postmortem examination to establish the exact cause of death.
Police say investigations are ongoing into both the alleged property fraud and the circumstances surrounding the mob assault that preceded the suspect’s death.
The force also condemned mob justice, warning that taking the law into one’s own hands undermines the justice system.
“The Uganda Police Force strongly condemns acts of mob justice and urges members of the public to hand over suspects to law enforcement agencies for proper handling in accordance with the law,” Kituuma said.
Police acknowledged that their initial communication incorrectly suggested the incident had not occurred, attributing the mistake to incomplete information received during the early stages of the investigation.
The force has since apologized and pledged to provide accurate and accountable information to the public.
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