The First Division of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has arrested a fake lieutenant who has been evicting locals and grabbing their land in Kakiri Town Council, Wakiso District. The imposter, identified as Adams Ssentongo, was found wearing UPDF attire, falsely indicating that he was a lieutenant.
Although Ssentongo initially tried to pose as a military officer when surrounded by soldiers, he eventually admitted that he had never attended any military school. He confessed that he got the attire from a friend who is a soldier.
“Let me tell you the truth, I am not a soldier and I have never been near any military school. I just got these attires from my friend Mugisha, who is a soldier. I use these uniforms to threaten people and take their property,” Ssentongo said.
Maj. Charles Kabona, the spokesperson of the UPDF’s First Division based in Kakiri, said they were compelled to search for Ssentongo after receiving numerous complaints from the public about a soldier threatening to take their land.
“We were getting many complaints that our soldier was threatening people and evicting them from their land, creating tension in the entire area. We decided to look for this person who was tarnishing our image. The locals gave us tips on where to find him, and we caught him with uniforms and shoes,” Maj. Kabona said.
During the arrest of the fake lieutenant, another man, identified as Hannington Ssekandi, claimed to be a soldier serving under the Internal Security Organization (ISO). When UPDF officers asked for proof of his profession, he provided an alleged military force number, which the soldiers doubted. He was also arrested alongside Ssentongo.
“We are now charging these two for impersonation, tarnishing our image, and illegally possessing our uniforms and shoes. They had a fake pistol and a walkie-talkie. We shall arraign them in the military court,” Maj. Kabona said.
Incidents of civilians masquerading as military officers or soldiers have been common in Wakiso District. Not only have civilians impersonated officers, but also private soldiers have often donned the attire of senior officers and carried out illegal activities.
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