By David Mwanje
As digital fraud takes new forms, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has issued a stern warning over scammers exploiting its name to steal money and personal data from unsuspecting victims. In a public alert, IFAD cautioned that fraudsters often using fake emails, websites, or official-looking logos are falsely promising loans, grants, jobs, or procurement deals in exchange for fees or personal details.
“IFAD does not solicit payments or personal information from individuals,” the organization stated, stressing that its loans are extended to governments and partner institutions not private citizens. All legitimate communication comes from @ifad.org email addresses, with procurement handled via the United Nations Global Marketplace (UNGM) and recruitment conducted through IFAD’s official job portal or LinkedIn page no fees involved.
The warning strikes a chord in Uganda, where impersonation scams are on the rise, draining millions and eroding public trust. Recent cases mirror IFAD’s concerns and highlight the growing scale of digital deceit.
In late October 2025, three suspects were arrested for posing as officials from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, using forged documents to extort funds under the guise of corruption probes. Their Shs444 million fraud targeted entities such as the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council. Beyond the financial losses, the scam dented public faith in genuine anti-corruption work and stalled legitimate investigations.
Just days later, on October 25, 2025, Victoria University warned the public about fraudsters impersonating its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lawrence Muganga, through fake emails and invitations seeking money or data. The university’s PR office exposed the scam, noting risks of identity theft and reputational damage. The deception not only threatened potential victims but also undermined trust in higher education at a time when universities are already grappling with financial constraints.
In July 2025, another group posing as members of a “Special Contracts Committee” attempted a $4.9 million fraud, forging procurement credentials to con suppliers and bidders. The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) later revealed in a video that four suspects were arrested. This attempted heist nearly sabotaged major projects, inflated potential costs, and risked driving away investors wary of Uganda’s fraud climate.
These incidents, part of what a September 2025 Daily Monitor report called an “online scam epidemic,” have cost Uganda millions while damaging its reputation. The government faces rising enforcement costs and strained donor confidence, with institutions like IFAD key partners in agricultural development watching closely. Impersonation scams undermine diplomatic trust, delay critical projects, and threaten aid inflows amid a Shs58 trillion national budget deficit.
For ordinary Ugandans from farmers seeking grants to job seekers and entrepreneurs bidding on contracts the threat is personal. Each fake link or email can mean lost savings, stolen identities, and shattered opportunities. As digital banking and e-governance expand, awareness remains the only defense against a rising wave of deception that turns hope into hardship.
