Man on the Run After Impersonating State House Staff in Busia
Security agencies are searching for Solomon Buyizi Ssemakula, a man who impersonated a State House employee and stayed at a hotel in Busia for 34 days. During his stay, he accumulated hotel bills worth Shs5 million.
Buyizi checked into Gold Star Hotel in Busia on October 13, 2025. He claimed to be a member of the Presidential Press Unit (PPU), part of an advance team for President Museveni’s campaign. The hotel management allowed him to stay, trusting his identity. He promised to pay for his accommodation once his colleagues joined him.
The Impostor’s Claims and Deceptive Behavior
At first, the hotel manager, Martin Tusiime, grew suspicious after four days, but Buyizi reassured him that everything was in order. He claimed he was organizing the president’s upcoming campaign activities and distributing NRM T-shirts. Despite the growing doubts, the hotel allowed him to continue his stay.
During his time at the hotel, Buyizi ate and drank expensively. He paid for his stay through mobile money transfers, but the hotel later found that the payments never reached their accounts. It appeared that Buyizi sent money, then reversed the transactions afterward.
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Riders Expose the Impostor
Buyizi’s deception was uncovered when he promised to pay Shs20,000 to each of 200 boda boda riders. When they realized they had been scammed, they stormed the hotel and broke down its gates. They searched for Buyizi but found no trace of him, forcing him to flee.
By the time he disappeared, Buyizi had racked up a Shs5 million hotel bill. The hotel now demands an additional Shs21 million in damages to repair the gate.
Special Forces Command Confirms Impersonation
Maj. Jimmy Omara, spokesperson for the Special Forces Command (SFC), confirmed that no one by the name Solomon Buyizi Ssemakula is part of the PPU or the media team. “I can confirm that Mr. Solomon Buyizi Ssemakula is neither a member of the Presidential Press Unit nor a member of the media team on the presidential campaign trail,” said Maj. Omara.
He urged the public to verify the authenticity of individuals claiming to represent official bodies. The police are investigating the matter and have called for information leading to Buyizi’s arrest.
“We urge the public to verify the authenticity of individuals claiming to represent them. We will pursue all avenues to bring the culprit to book,” Maj. Omara added.
