What appeared to be an ordinary search for a trusted house help has turned into one of Uganda’s most talked-about stories after police arrested a man accused of disguising himself as a woman to secure domestic jobs before allegedly stealing from his employers.
The suspect, identified by police as Kayaga Rayan, is accused of adopting the identity Namirembe Rukia whenever he applied for work as a female domestic worker. According to investigators, the disguise allegedly helped him gain the confidence of unsuspecting families looking for someone to care for their homes.
The dramatic case came to light after Kayaga’s unexpected arrest during a routine security screening at a church in Mutundwe, Kampala.
Police say church security personnel were conducting their usual checks before the service began when they became suspicious and alerted authorities. The routine inspection quickly turned into an arrest that has since sparked widespread discussion across Uganda and beyond.
Ironically, while churchgoers were preparing for prayers, detectives were preparing handcuffs.
Following the arrest, the suspect’s employers reportedly discovered that approximately KSh 59,000 had gone missing from their residence in Mutundwe, located in Rubaga Division, Kampala District. Shocked by the disappearance of the money, they immediately filed a report with the Uganda Police Force.
Detectives then launched investigations to establish whether the missing cash was connected to the suspect’s alleged activities.
According to preliminary police findings, Kayaga allegedly admitted during questioning that he had been posing as a woman in order to secure employment as a house help before stealing from employers. However, police emphasized that these allegations remain under investigation and will ultimately be determined through the court process.
Authorities say the suspect remains in custody and will be presented before court once investigations are completed.
The unusual case has left many social media users stunned, with many admitting they had never imagined someone would allegedly go to such lengths simply to secure employment and access people’s homes.
The Uganda Police Force has since urged members of the public to be extra cautious when hiring domestic workers. Authorities encouraged employers to conduct thorough background checks, verify identification documents, request references, and avoid employing individuals without proper vetting.
Police believe such precautions can significantly reduce the risk of theft and other crimes committed under the guise of employment.
As investigations continue, the incident serves as a reminder that appearances alone should never replace proper verification when inviting someone into your home. While trust is essential between employers and domestic workers, authorities insist that caution and due diligence remain equally important.
Meanwhile, the story has generated thousands of reactions online, with many people expressing disbelief at the creativity behind the alleged scheme.
Some hilarious social media reactions included:
😂 Moses: “At this rate, interviews should include, ‘Please remove the wig for verification purposes.'”
😂 Sarah: “Church security deserves a salary increment. They caught what employers couldn’t.”
😂 Brian: “Imagine explaining to your neighbours that your house help was actually a man in disguise. Netflix couldn’t write this script.”
😂 Faith: “This is why background checks are cheaper than replacing stolen money.”
😂 Kevin: “The plot twist entered the chat before the pastor entered the pulpit!”
Whether the allegations are ultimately proven in court or not, the bizarre case has certainly become one of the most unforgettable stories to emerge from Uganda this year, leaving many people both amused and reminded of the importance of carefully vetting anyone entrusted with access to their homes.
