The suspect has been identified as Kisambira Ali, 22, a resident of Nampirika A Village, Bukaye Parish, Nakalama Sub-county in Iganga District.
According to police, Kisambira allegedly used the name of the Hajji Yasin Foundation as a front to defraud unsuspecting Ugandans through online platforms.
A search at the suspect's residence led to the recovery of a Samsung A05 mobile phone containing eight active TikTok accounts that police believe were used to carry out the alleged scam.
The accounts were operating under the names:
- Ssentongoyasin46
- Sengasarahonunylil
- Sengasarah294
- Sengasarah754
- Natasha2026kar
- Natashakarugile6
- Namerejustine7
- Sengasahara2
Police said the suspect is being held at Iganga Central Police Station pending transfer to CPS Kampala, where the case was initially registered.
Authorities said investigations are continuing as they pursue other individuals suspected of participating in similar online scams.
Police also said they are intensifying public awareness campaigns to help Ugandans identify and avoid fraudulent schemes conducted through social media and other online platforms.
Busoga East Regional Police spokesperson Michael Kasadha cautioned the public against falling victim to internet fraud and urged anyone with information about such crimes to report them promptly to the police.
"We continue to warn members of the public to be vigilant when dealing with people online and to report any suspected cases of fraud so that those responsible can be brought to justice," Kasadha said.