Man sentenced to five month jail in Luzira for impersonating Balaam

By Elizabeth Ankunda

25^th July 2023

Businessman Mark Andrew Asiimwe has been sentenced to a five-month jail term in Luzira Prison for attempted fraud and impersonating Events Manager, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi.

He was sentenced by the Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court Grade One Magistrate, Sanura Nambozo on his own plea of guilty on June 18th, 2023.

Asiimwe is a resident of Bwera Mpondwe in Kasese District.

The Prosecution led by State Attorney, Judith Nyamwiza told the court that around January 2023 and July 2023 in the areas of Kampala and Kasese districts Asiimwe with intent to defraud John Twinomugisha falsely represented himself as Balaam Barugahare Ateenyi when he created an account on Facebook, which he used to communicate to his victim.

According to Nyamwiza, Asiimwe allegedly solicited money from Twinomugisha for the MK Girl Child project, which he verily believed was nonexistent and he was not Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi the Vice Chairperson for the Western Uganda region.

According to Nyamwiza, Asiimwe attempted to fraudulently solicit 49,000 pounds from Twinomugisha with the intent of unlawful gain.

Nyamwiza told the Court that the convict has no past criminal record but noted that cases of impersonation and electronic fraud have been common praying for a maximum sentence of two years which is provided for impersonation and a fine not exceeding 360 currency points (7.2 million Shillings) or imprisonment not exceeding 15 years or both on the offense of attempted electronic fraud.

She said this would send a message to hackers and computer wizards that it is not safe for them to continue making similar offenses.

In her sentence, Nambozo said the convict is remorseful and has not wasted court time and therefore a five months imprisonment sentence was appropriate.