Two Rwandan men have been jailed for three years after admitting to conning HIV patients with fake treatment in Masaka.
The Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court found Festo Mugabe, 37, and Nathan Karamuzi, 28, guilty of running an illegal operation that sold unverified “cures” to vulnerable people. The pair, who had been living in Kakuuto Sub-county in Kyotera District, were arrested in Masaka City where they had set up their scheme.
Court heard that the men operated from a rented hotel room, which they used to meet clients and market their products. They allegedly convinced patients to abandon their prescribed antiretroviral (ARV) medication, promising a complete cure within two months. For this, they charged between Shs150,000 and Shs300,000 for a so-called treatment dose.
The prosecution, led by Michael Wekosase, presented evidence showing that the accused misled the public with false claims about HIV treatment. A police officer, Ismail Ssemakula, testified that he had posed as a client and bought the substances after being assured of a cure.
Investigations revealed that the products sold were herbal mixtures and powdered substances packaged in small bottles, none of which had been approved for medical use.
Both Mugabe and Karamuzi pleaded guilty. They asked the court for a lighter sentence, saying they were first-time offenders driven by financial difficulties. They also claimed their products were harmless and promised not to repeat the offence.
In delivering the judgment, Grade One Magistrate Abdallah Kayiza noted that the accused had shown remorse and saved the court’s time by pleading guilty. However, he stressed the seriousness of the offence, given the risk posed to public health.
Each of the two was sentenced to three years in prison or given the option of paying a fine of Shs300,000. The court also directed that all seized substances be handed over to the National Drug Authority for further scientific examination.
