Police in Masaka City have detained two men suspected of running a fraudulent scheme involving fake HIV treatment, in which they allegedly deceived patients and extorted large sums of money under the guise of offering a cure.
The suspects have been identified as Festo Mugabe, 37, a Rwandan national reportedly residing in Kigali, and Nathan Karamuzi, 28, from Kyotera District.
Authorities say the pair had set up operations in a hotel room in Masaka, which they presented to clients as a treatment and counseling center.
Their arrest followed complaints from several individuals who grew doubtful about the effectiveness and safety of the herbal substances being administered.
Acting on the tip-off, police conducted an operation at the premises and recovered various herbal mixtures believed to have been used in the scheme.
According to Greater Masaka Regional Police spokesperson Twaha Kasirye, preliminary findings indicate that the suspects charged victims between Shs150,000 and Shs300,000 per dose of the purported remedy.
They are also accused of persuading HIV-positive individuals to abandon their prescribed antiretroviral therapy, raising serious public health concerns.
Investigators further suspect that the duo had begun establishing a network of intermediaries to recruit more clients, particularly targeting vulnerable patients seeking alternative treatment options.
One of the complainants, Deusdedit Kalule, told police that he had been referred to the suspects by a neighbor who claimed they could cure a relative living with HIV.
He said he was instructed to return with the patient for enrollment into the program before the arrests were made.
During interrogation, Karamuzi reportedly claimed that his co-accused had received the “cure” through divine revelation.
He added that the mixture was derived from a combination of tree leaves, roots, and grasses traditionally used to treat various illnesses, and alleged, without evidence, that it had been used by patients across East Africa.
Police have since warned the public against falling prey to unverified medical claims, emphasizing the importance of adhering to scientifically approved HIV treatment.
Cases involving individuals falsely claiming to cure HIV are not new in the Greater Masaka region. In 2013, authorities arrested a man for operating a similar illegal treatment center near Kitovu Hospital, highlighting a recurring pattern of exploitation targeting vulnerable communities.
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