national 8 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
SFC Soldier Charged for Alleged NIRA ID Fraud
A soldier from the Special Forces Command (SFC) has been formally charged with obtaining money by false pretence for allegedly scamming a woman over a Shs200,000 express national ID card. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/sfc-soldier-on-nira-wall-of-shame-charged-over-alleged-fraud-5588144
A serving Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) captain attached to the Special Forces Command (SFC) has been brought before court on charges of fraud. Yonasan Tibenderana, 35, was recently featured on the National Identification and Registration Authority’s (NIRA) “Wall of Shame” before his arrest.
Tibenderana appeared before Grade One Magistrate Rhoda Acham Ochom, accused of defrauding a woman of Shs200,000. The prosecution contends that on September 1, 2025, at the NIRA offices in Kololo, Kampala, Tibenderana falsely promised to expedite the processing of an express national identity card for the complainant, identified as Apio Juliet.
The charge sheet details that Tibenderana claimed he could secure the ID, inducing Apio Juliet to part with the sum, an action he allegedly had no intention or capability to fulfill. The offense falls under Section 285 of the Penal Code Act, covering obtaining money by false pretence.
NIRA had publicly identified Tibenderana as a “conman” on their “Wall of Shame,” warning the public to exercise extreme caution when dealing with him. He was remanded in custody until September 23, 2026, when the case is scheduled for further mention and a potential bail hearing. His lawyer indicated readiness to apply for bail, but court proceedings were delayed due to the absence of a prosecutor.