Police in Nateete have arrested a man accused of disguising himself as a female domestic worker to secure employment before allegedly stealing from households in Kampala.
According to Kampala Mcetropolitan Police spokesperson Rachael Kawala, the suspect, identified as Rayan Kayaga, allegedly presented himself as Rukia Namirembe while seeking employment as a domestic worker.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect allegedly disguised himself as a female to obtain employment,” Kawala said.
Police say the suspect was most recently employed in Mutundwe, Rubaga Division, where he allegedly stole UGX 1.7 million from his employers.
Kawala said the suspect reportedly admitted to the scheme during interrogation.
“During interrogation, the suspect is reported to have admitted to disguising himself as a female domestic worker with the intention of stealing from employers. This forms part of the ongoing investigations,” she said.
According to a security official at Mutundwe Christian Fellowship who spoke to this publication, the suspect had accompanied his female employer to church on the day of his arrest after she invited him to attend the service. The security personnel conducting routine screening at the church entrance became suspicious because of the suspect’s appearance and subjected him to a more thorough check.
The security official said the screening established that the individual presenting as a woman was male, prompting church security to alert police, who responded and took the suspect into custody.
Police said that following the arrest, the employers reportedly discovered that UGX 1.7 million was missing from their residence and reported the alleged theft to Nateete Police.
Kawala says the suspect remains in police custody as investigations continue and will be produced before court upon completion of investigations.
Police have urged members of the public to exercise due diligence when recruiting domestic workers and other household employees by verifying the identities, backgrounds and references of prospective employees whenever possible. The force also appealed to the public to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station.