Makerere fresher loses sh2m tuition cash to conman

Kampala. Police in Makerere University are hunting for a fraudster who disappeared with two million Shillings of Tuition money that a fresher gave to him after he offered to double it.

Campus police are registering at least two cases a week involving unscrupulous persons operating within the university premises who are targeting new students and fleece them of their money.      

Reports from the University police indicate that fraudsters operating within the university, being very conversant with the university systems and processes, have been targeting new students whom they have defraud since the resumption of studies.

A police officer  who preferred  anonymity said the university police have registered more than five incidents of the same nature, mostly from fresh students being conned by unknown people either by claiming to be helping them in banking issues or by befriending them and later defrauding  through job offer scams and other tricks.          

 “When they see you that you’re new here trying to get around in the university, they immediately approach you and befriend you trying to help or even offer some job and later they take your money,” said an officer. 

According to the officer, some students who have fallen prey decide not to report for fear of being exposed.  

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango said they are still trying to  have such criminals arrested because they know all the university systems and processes around. 

Ezra Byakutangaza, the acting guild speaker of Makerere University said it is unfortunate that the conmen have increased within the university during this period when new students have just reported to the campus.      

“I am calling upon new students to use their unit leadership, college leadership and class representatives, as students leadership we have started mobilizing students to be aware of scammers and we have informed the university administration, hopefully some measures will be put in place,” said Byakutangaza.