Police have arrested a man accused of posing as a government official to con motorists in a carefully planned operation by the Uganda Police Force working together with the Ministry of Works and Transport.
The suspect, identified as Richard Kalema, was arrested on Tuesday evening, March 3, 2026, following several complaints from members of the public. He is accused of collecting money from unsuspecting motorists after falsely promising to help them quickly process the new digital motor vehicle number plates.
Police at Jinja Road said Kalema admitted to pretending to be an official from the ministry. He allegedly offered to fast-track services such as ownership transfers, vehicle registration and the acquisition of new digital number plates.
He is currently being held at Jinja Road Police Station as investigations continue. Authorities believe he could be part of a wider criminal network targeting people seeking services at government offices.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Transport, Bageya Waiswa, strongly condemned the alleged scheme and warned the public to stay alert. He cautioned motorists against dealing with unauthorized individuals, especially those operating around the Motor Vehicle Registration Offices in Nakawa.
He urged vehicle owners to seek services only from verified ministry staff seated at designated service desks. He also advised the public to always check official identification before making any payments and to avoid middlemen who operate outside government premises.
The ministry further warned the public not to send money to personal accounts or use informal payment channels when processing government services.
Authorities say joint enforcement operations will be intensified to dismantle fraud rings that are preying on citizens seeking legitimate services. Members of the public have been encouraged to report suspicious individuals to the police or directly to the Motor Vehicle Registration Office through the ministry’s official communication channels.
The government launched the new digital number plates on November 1, 2023, marking the beginning of a phased rollout under the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System. The program first targeted government vehicles, later expanded to motorcycles in late 2024, and then to newly imported and private vehicles in January 2025. Motorists were given a two-year transition period to comply.
Police have warned that anyone caught impersonating government officials or defrauding the public will face the full force of the law.
