Uganda: Beware Facebook Account Abusing Name of Uganda's Deputy Prisons Chief

18 January 2023
Africa Check (Johannesburg)
By Grace Gichuhi

IN SHORT: Five months after Samuel Akena was appointed as the new deputy commissioner general of prisons, a Facebook account with his name popped up. But it's not his.

In August 2022, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni appointed Samuel Akena as the deputy commissioner general of prisons.

Five months later, in January 2023, a Facebook account in his name emerged.

The account shows two photos, one of Akena seemingly making an address, and the other of prison warders marching.

At the time of writing, there have been no posts other than these photos.

Akena succeeded James Mwanje, who retired. Before this, he was the director of correctional services at Murchison Bay Prison in Kampala, Uganda's capital.

But is this Akena's legitimate Facebook account?

'An act of impersonation'

No. The Uganda Prisons Service posted a screenshot of the Facebook account "Samuel Akena" on its official Twitter account - stamped "FAKE".

"Important Notice!!! Treat these accounts as fake & an act of impersonation. Kindly disregard it," the service wrote.

Read the original story, with links and other resources.
Africa Check is a non-partisan organisation which promotes accuracy in public debate and in the media. Twitter @AfricaCheck and www.africacheck.org

Tagged:
Copyright © 2023 Africa Check. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

AllAfrica publishes around 500 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.