Police in Kawempe are holding a suspect for impersonating a Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) official and defrauding several locals into constructing in wetland.
The suspect Musisi Ronald, also known as “Cyber,”was arrested from his residence in Kawempe after several locals, who had received evacuation notices from KCCA, presented documents indicating they were authorized to build on the wetland.
Musisi allegedly posed as Albert Villey Agaba, the principal supervisor of physical planning at KCCA, and issued fake building approvals for construction on the Lubigi wetland in Kawempe, for millions of shillings.
The fraudulent documents were purportedly issued by Musisi. The victims claimed that Musisi had convinced them of his legitimacy, making the documents appear genuine and official.
Police investigations revealed that Musisi had worked alongside two accomplices, Hamza Kamugisha and Serrwadda, to carry out the scam. The trio reportedly charged for the fake approvals, exploiting the locals’ lack of knowledge and trust in the supposed official process.
Albert Villey Agaba, the actual principal supervisor of physical planning at KCCA, has now urged all affected individuals to report to KCCA’s City Hall for proper verification and to obtain legitimate building approvals.
He told locals in Kawempe on Wednesday that it is improtant to verify the authenticity of any documentation and reiterated that all official business should be conducted through the correct channels at City Hall.
Agaba warned the public against falling prey to such scams and assured them that measures are being taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. He also emphasized the importance of preserving wetlands and the legal repercussions of unauthorized construction on protected land.
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) is currentlyinvolved in an ongoing demolition exercise at the Lubigi Wetland System, despite public uproar and attempts by some politicians to incite the public against the operation.
The restoration exercise is aimed at preserving the Lubigi Wetland System, which is a vital water catchment area for Kampala City and neighboring districts.
NEMA exercise is being carried out in accordance with the National Environment Act, 2019, and the attendant regulations, which prohibit activities that degrade the environment.
The exercise involves the removal illegal structures, gardens, and settlements that have encroached on the wetland.
NEMA first issued restoration orders to all encroachers in 2021, giving them 21 days to vacate the wetland, remove dumped materials, restore the degraded area to its original state, and demolish illegal structures.
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