A young man who allegedly used the name of Office of the National Chairman (ONC) Manager and Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs, Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, to recruit students at IUIU University Mbale Campus into a suspected fake scholarship scheme is now in police custody at Nakaloke station, in a case that has sent a strong warning to fraudsters across the country.
Wanjoka Abdul Aziz, 22, from Butaleja and reportedly working with Albayern Foundation, was arrested and detained at Nakaloke Police Station after investigations linked him to a network that allegedly solicited money from students and youths while claiming to offer scholarships and employment opportunities connected to Hajjat Namyalo.
In his statement, Abdul Aziz admitted that he had never met Hajjat Namyalo physically. Instead, he said he was contacted through phone calls and video calls by individuals who introduced themselves as Hajjat Namyalo and members of her team.
According to him, he was instructed to recruit fellow youths and students and collect a registration fee of UGX 55,000 from each person interested in the purported opportunities. He said he was promised a position as Eastern Region Coordinator if he succeeded in mobilizing large numbers of students.
Believing the opportunity was genuine, Abdul Aziz reportedly convinced some of his relatives, including Amina Nakazzi and Abibah Namirembe, to join the program. He further claimed that he sent UGX 110,000 to a contact whose mobile money details appeared under the name “Namyalo Amina.”
He says the people behind the operation trained him through video calls on how to approach potential clients and persuade them to join. However, throughout the entire process, he was never allowed to meet the alleged organizers physically and was instructed to communicate only through WhatsApp.
“I never met them. Everything was done through phone calls and social media. I regret what happened and I am ready to cooperate with security so that the truth can come out,” Abdul Aziz reportedly said.
The alleged scheme was exposed after complaints reached Mbale City Northern Deputy RCC Were Yahaya, indicating that some individuals had opened a foundation and were collecting money from students while using Hajjat Namyalo’s name.
Concerned by the allegations, Were Yahaya immediately contacted ONC Regional Coordinator Namasaba Jalia to verify the information. Investigations established that the Office of the National Chairman had no involvement in the scholarship scheme.
Security agencies were immediately alerted, leading to the arrest of Abdul Aziz at the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) before he was transferred to Nakaloke Police Station.
Speaking after the arrest, Deputy RCC Were Yahaya urged the public to verify all information before making payments.
“Fraudsters are taking advantage of people’s trust and desperation. Before paying money for scholarships, jobs, or empowerment opportunities, verify with the rightful authorities. ONC has official coordinators and offices that can confirm any genuine program,” he said.
He warned that anyone found impersonating Hajjat Namyalo or misusing her name to exploit members of the public would face the law.
“The name of Hajjat Namyalo must be protected. Anyone who attempts to use it for fraud will be arrested and prosecuted. Let this serve as a warning to others,” he added.
Were also advised young people to avoid falling for fake online opportunities and suspicious digital platforms that promise quick success but often lead to trouble.
Meanwhile, ONC Regional Coordinator Namasaba Jalia praised the coordination between security agencies and local leaders that led to the suspect’s arrest.
She emphasized that ONC does not run any scholarship foundation that charges money from applicants and cautioned the public against dealing with unauthorized individuals claiming to represent the office.
“As ONC, we do not ask people to pay money for scholarships. The moment we received this information, we worked with security to establish the truth and ensure the suspect was arrested so investigations could continue,” she said.
Namasaba thanked Deputy RCC Were Yahaya, security personnel, and ONC officials for acting swiftly to protect the public from fraud.
She further appealed to citizens to report suspicious individuals and organizations using the names of public leaders to solicit money.
As investigations continue, Abdul Aziz says he is remorseful and willing to cooperate with authorities.
He has appealed to Hajjat Namyalo for forgiveness and pledged to assist investigators in uncovering the individuals he claims recruited him through phone calls and social media.