Special Forces Command denies affiliation with arrested extortion suspect

The Special Forces Command (SFC) has issued a statement denying that Yonasan Tibenderana is a member of the military unit. This follows the arrest of the 35-year-old for allegedly extorting money at the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) offices in Kololo, Kampala.

According to prosecutors, Tibenderana allegedly obtained 200,000 shillings from a citizen on September 1, 2025, by claiming he could facilitate the express processing of a national identity card. While court records currently identify him as a serving SFC Captain, SFC Public Information Officer Captain Julius Kabandize stated that Tibenderana is neither a serving officer nor a soldier, calling claims of his rank “false and misleading.”

Tibenderana has been arraigned before Nakawa Grade One Magistrate Rhoda Acham Ochom on charges of obtaining money by false pretences. His photograph was recently featured on NIRA’s “Wall of Shame” following his arrest.