By Obed Kankiriho
Police in Kisoro District have arrested two Rwandan nationals accused of masquerading as prophets to defraud unsuspecting residents of their money.
The suspects have been identified as Mutuyomana Fols, 35, a film actor with Ejo Heza from Gatarara Village in Musanze District, and Mpakaniye Jelome, 34, an electrician from Gakyenye Village in Nemba Parish.
Their arrest follows multiple complaints from victims who claim the duo posed as spiritual leaders and used fake prophecies to extort money.
According to police reports, on July 23, 2025, the suspects contacted Moreen Okanyereka, an employee at Olexy Petrol Station in Kisoro, pretending to be her sister “Judith” from Mutorele Parish under Kabale Diocese. They claimed to have received a divine message about her and initiated several prayer sessions over the phone before inviting her to Kisoro Catholic Church Parish.
Convinced by their spiritual claims, Moreen reportedly sent UGX 800,000 to the pair, only to realize later that she had been conned. She reported the matter to Kisoro Central Police Station.
In a related incident on August 5, George Nteziyaremye, a resident of Rubuguri Town Council in Bukimbiri County, was contacted by the same suspects. They instructed him to take UGX 400,000 and a bottle of water to Shaaza Playground and leave them in a public toilet for “spiritual cleansing and blessings.”
Sensing fraud, George complied but stayed nearby and later saw the suspects approaching the location. He immediately alerted a police officer, leading to the arrest of Mutuyomana and Mpakaniye.
While in custody, the suspects denied the allegations, claiming they had merely crossed into Uganda to visit a friend and had borrowed a phone at the Chanika border. They alleged that confusion may have arisen as they sought medical attention at Shaaza Health Center III, where police eventually apprehended them.
ASP Boaz Arinaitwe, the Community Liaison Officer at Kisoro Central Police Station, confirmed the arrests, warning that such fraudulent religious schemes are becoming a “monotonous trend” in the area.
He said the suspects face charges of theft and remain in custody pending further investigations.
Arinaitwe urged the public to remain vigilant and report anyone using spiritual claims to solicit money from believers.
