Yonasan Tibenderana
The Special Forces Command (SFC) has distanced itself from Yonasan Tibenderana, who was arrested and arraigned in court over allegations of obtaining Shs200,000 from a woman by falsely promising to help her secure an express National Identity Card.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, SFC Public Information Officer Capt Julius Kabandize said Tibenderana is neither a serving Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officer nor a member of the Special Forces Command, contradicting reports and the description contained in the charge sheet presented before court.
“The SFC unequivocally clarifies that Yonasan Tibenderana is NOT a serving officer, soldier or member of the Special Forces Command,”Capt Kabandize said.
He added,“Any claims that he is an ‘SFC Captain’ are false and misleading.”
The statement comes a day after Tibenderana, 35, appeared before Nakawa Grade One Magistrate Rhoda Acham Ochom and was charged with obtaining money by false pretence, contrary to Section 285 of the Penal Code Act.
According to the prosecution, Tibenderana allegedly obtained Shs200,000 from Juliet Apio at the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) offices in Kololo, Kampala, on September 1, 2025.
The prosecution alleges that Tibenderana represented to Apio that he could help her obtain an express National Identity Card, despite allegedly knowing that he would not be able to fulfil the promise.
He denied the charge when it was read to him in court.
Tibenderana was arrested last week and his photograph was subsequently displayed on NIRA’s “Wall of Shame”, where the authority identified him as an alleged conman and warned members of the public against dealing with him. His photograph was displayed alongside that of David Lutasingwa, who has not been charged in connection with the allegations.
The case took another turn when the SFC issued its clarification, rejecting the description of Tibenderana as an SFC officer.
“The SFC strongly condemns the illegal act of impersonating military officers to defraud citizens,” Capt Kabandize said.
The command also commended NIRA and other law enforcement agencies for the arrest and prosecution of the suspect.
“We commend NIRA and law enforcement agencies for the suspect’s swift arrest and for the subsequent prosecution,” Capt Kabandize said.
Tibenderana’s arrest followed allegations that he had presented himself as someone capable of using his purported position to facilitate faster access to national identification services.
Court reports published after his arraignment had described him as a serving SFC captain, with the charge sheet reportedly identifying him as a businessman and resident of Katalemwa, Matugga, Wakiso District.
However, the SFC has now expressly rejected that description and said any claim that Tibenderana is a military officer is false.
The prosecution case is that the Shs200,000 was obtained after the accused allegedly promised to process an express national ID for Apio. The offence is being prosecuted under Section 285 of the Penal Code Act, which deals with obtaining money by false pretence.
His lawyer, Enoch Byaruhanga, told court that the defence was ready to apply for bail. The application, however, could not proceed because there was no prosecutor in court to update the magistrate on the progress of investigations.
Magistrate Ochom subsequently remanded Tibenderana to Luzira Prison until September 23, 2026, when the case is expected to return for mention and the defence may pursue his bail application.
The case has also renewed scrutiny of the challenges faced by people seeking national identification services, particularly claims that individuals sometimes turn to intermediaries or brokers to obtain services more quickly.
The development comes as NIRA faces pressure over delays in issuing and renewing national identity cards. NIRA Executive Director Rosemary Kisembo told Parliament this week that staffing shortages had affected service delivery, partly following the expiry of contracts for temporary workers who had supported mass enrolment and ID renewal exercises.
Capt Kabandize has now urged members of the public to be cautious of individuals who use the names of military institutions to solicit money or favours.
“Members of the public are advised to remain vigilant and report any individuals soliciting money or favours while falsely claiming to represent the SFC to the nearest police station or military authority,” he said.
He is expected back in court on September 23.
