**National News:**
**Man Arrested for Pretending to Be UPDF Major and Exploiting SHIPU’s Authority for Fraudulent Gains**
Franco Mugumya, a man who allegedly masqueraded as a UPDF Major, was arrested on Monday, November 17, 2025, for defrauding the public by falsely claiming to be working with the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU), an office led by Colonel Edith Nakalema.
Mugumya, who had been posing as Major Hannington and, at times, as SP Hannington Banda, was apprehended in a joint operation between SHIPU’s security personnel, the Uganda Police Force, and the Directorate of Crime Intelligence, CPS Kampala.
According to SHIPU’s statement, Mugumya had been exploiting his fake military rank and alleged connections with the government office to deceive unsuspecting members of the public. He promised to resolve various personal or financial issues on behalf of SHIPU in exchange for money.
The breakthrough came when a victim, Fiona Ariho, reported the incident after seeking assistance from SHIPU and discovering that Mugumya had no legitimate ties to the Unit. This prompted swift intervention by SHIPU and law enforcement.
“Franco Mugumya has never been a staff member of SHIPU, and anyone who has interacted with him should be aware that his actions were fraudulent,” SHIPU said in their statement. “He will face the full consequences of the law.”
SHIPU, which operates under the authority of President Museveni, offers free, genuine services to investors, aiming to create a secure and transparent environment for economic growth. The Unit emphasized the importance of reporting fraudulent activities to protect the integrity of public institutions.
Under Colonel Nakalema’s leadership, SHIPU continues its efforts to safeguard Uganda’s investment landscape, ensuring that those who contribute to the nation’s economy can do so without fear of exploitation.
