Police have launched an investigation into a network of suspected fraudsters posing as pastors by day and traditional healers by night, before ripping off unsuspecting Ugandans millions of shillings.

According to preliminary police findings, the suspects lure their gullible victims through fabricated testimonies and so-called miraculous healings.

However, behind the scenes, their places of worship double as traditional shrines, where they stage rituals to extort money and valuable property from their victims.

The Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson, Mr Luke Owoyesigyire, told this reporter on Thursday that the criminal gang has been operating in Kiijo Village, Nabale Ward, Nakifuma Nagalama Town Council, and Nanfumba Village, Mayangayanga Parish, Kimenyedde Sub-County in Mukono District.
 
He said the suspects have been advertising on radio stations, claiming that they cure several ailments before giving out contact numbers for consultations.

The unsuspecting victims who contacted them for consultation were invited to different rented houses in Kampala, where they would be robbed of their property and money.
 
"During the so-called healing sessions, the suspects would later direct their clients or relatives to remote locations in Kiijo or Nanfumba, where they would be ambushed, assaulted, and robbed of their money and valuables,” Mr Owoyesigyire said.
 
According to police, some of the tricks deployed by suspects include convincing the victims to carry large sums of money for blessing or business exchange rituals, promising to turn Ugandan Shillings into United States Dollars.

“Three suspects, Ali Kakumba, alias Dalausi, alias Dr Lubwama; Nasser Kijjoma, and Michael Walusimbi have been arrested. They confessed to participating in several similar fraudulent schemes. A search was conducted in their homes and several exhibits, including mobile phones, SIM cards, land sale agreements, and other items used in their deception, were recovered,” ASP Owoyesigyire said.
 
Many victims have reported to police that when they demand refunds for promised blessings, financial breakthroughs, or healing that never materialized, the suspects resort to threats and intimidation. The police have received reports of individuals being harassed into silence after realizing they had been conned.