Fact-check: No, President Museveni is not offering a UGX100,000 Christmas grant to Ugandans

November 25, 2024/in Fact-check, Misinformation and Disinformation

This process mirrors classic online scam tactics, aiming to collect personal information, share the link widely, and compromise users’ security.

Writer: Makur Majeng

A WhatsApp message claiming that Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is offering a UGX100,000 Christmas grant to Ugandans is a hoax. The message is part of an online scam designed to defraud online users.

“PRESIDENT YOWERI MUSEVENI UGX100,000 CHRISTMAS CASH GRANT FOR UGANDANS HOW TO GET IT,” reads the fraudulent message.

The screenshot of the WhatsApp message

Claim Verification:

A Google keyword search using terms like “Yoweri Museveni UGX 100,000 Christmas grant” and “Ugandan President Christmas cash grant” reveals no official announcements, government press releases, or credible news articles validating this claim.

Ugandan government programs and financial assistance initiatives are typically announced through formal channels, such as state media, verified social media accounts, or press briefings by government officials. There are no such announcements regarding this purported grant.

A Whois domain lookup of the link provided shows that the domain was registered recently on 17^th December 2023 and will expire on 17^th December 2025 and is unaffiliated with the Ugandan government or any official entity. This is a red flag commonly associated with phishing websites and scams.

Upon clicking the link, users are prompted to answer questions like their gender and age group. Share the link with five WhatsApp groups or 15 friends to proceed. Provide personal and bank account details to claim their “prize.”

Screenshot of the fake SMS

This process mirrors classic online scam tactics, aiming to collect personal information, share the link widely, and compromise users’ security.

The screenshot of the webpage

A VirusTotal scan of the provided URL indicates potential security risks, including redirection to phishing sites or malicious software downloads. Users risk exposing their devices to malware or having sensitive personal data stolen.

Legitimate grant programs do not ask applicants to share promotional links on social media to proceed or redirect users to suspicious websites requiring sensitive information; instead, they operate through official channels and established application processes.

PesaCheck has previously verified similar claims and found them to be fake, as seen here, here, and here.

Conclusion:

211 Check has verified that the claim about President Yoweri Museveni offering a UGX100,000 Christmas grant to Ugandans is a hoax. This scam is designed to steal personal data and potentially install malicious software on victims’ devices.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/, or message us on WhatsApp at +211 921 350 435. #FactsMatter.