SFC disowns “Captain” Yonasan Tibenderana

What the report says

The Special Forces Command has publicly rejected claims that a man identified as Yonasan Tibenderana is one of its officers, after his arrest over allegations of extorting money at the National Identification and Registration Authority offices in Kololo, Kampala. In a statement cited by The Independent Uganda, SFC public information officer Capt. Julius Kabandize said Tibenderana is not a serving officer, a soldier, or a member of the elite unit, and described any suggestion that he is an “SFC Captain” as false and misleading.

The development comes amid a court case in which Tibenderana, 35, was arraigned before Nakawa Grade One Magistrate Rhoda Acham Ochom on a charge of obtaining money by false pretence. According to the prosecution account reported by the publisher, he allegedly took 200,000 shillings from Juliet Apio at NIRA’s Kololo offices after claiming he could help her secure an express national identity card.

The article notes a discrepancy between the military unit’s statement and court records, which reportedly identify Tibenderana as a serving SFC captain. NIRA also placed his photograph on its “Wall of Shame” after the arrest. The case highlights continuing concerns in Uganda about impersonation, fraud, and abuse of authority in public-facing services, especially where official titles may be used to mislead citizens.