The Minister for the Presidency, Milly Babalanda, has issued a public warning over individuals allegedly collecting money from residents and officials in Jinja City and the wider Busoga region, claiming to be organizing a homecoming celebration in her honour.
In a statement released on Saturday, Babalanda clarified that her office had not sanctioned any such event and distanced herself from the alleged fundraising activities.
She cautioned the public, Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), and members of the business community against engaging with the individuals behind the scheme.
“My office has been informed that there is a group of people going around asking money from people to organize a homecoming party for me in Jinja City,” she stated.
She added that no official arrangements had been made for any celebration or homecoming event in the city, warning that those behind the fundraising were acting fraudulently.
“This serves to inform the general public, RDCs, and the business community in Jinja City and Busoga in general that I have not approved any celebration party arrangements in Jinja City,” she said.
The minister further urged residents and leaders to treat the individuals as conmen and report them to police for appropriate action.
She emphasized that any legitimate engagement regarding events in her name would only be communicated through official channels.
“Those soliciting money from RDCs, the business community, and my friends in the disguise of organising a party for me are conmen who should be reported to the nearest police station,” she warned.
Babalanda also called for an immediate halt to all unauthorized fundraising activities linked to her name, insisting that such actions were misleading the public and potentially criminal in nature.
“Lastly, I urge whoever is involved in this kind of arrangement should immediately put a stop to it,” she stated.
She concluded by noting that any future public celebration or thanksgiving event would be formally communicated, indicating that the only possible occasion under consideration would be a thanksgiving event in Budiope West, though no date has been confirmed.