Traders unmask father accused of faking son's tumour to beg for cash

A Kampala man has been arrested after traders allegedly exposed a scheme in which he falsely claimed his young son had a cancerous tumour to solicit money from the public.

According to eyewitnesses, the suspect moved around with the child, appealing for financial assistance while claiming the boy urgently needed treatment for a life-threatening tumour.

A video circulating online shows the father with the child's head wrapped in bandages to create the impression of a serious medical condition as he begged shoppers for money. However, suspicious traders confronted him, removed the bandages and found the child appeared healthy, with no visible injuries.

The incident quickly attracted a large crowd before the suspect was apprehended and handed over to police for further investigation.

This man was getting money from People in Kampala in Disguise of ‘My Kid has a Cancerous tumor on the Face and was collecting money for an operation ??But Guess what it was an Half Cake???’
Guys let work ????because what’s this now pic.twitter.com/DZ5CKmaeWq

— Dr Peninah Nannono (@Ninah_Ug) August 4, 2026

The case has sparked outrage online, with many condemning the alleged exploitation of a child to manipulate compassionate members of the public into donating money. It also highlights the growing problem of staged medical emergencies and charity scams that prey on people's goodwill.

While many families genuinely seek public support for life-saving treatment, authorities continue to urge donors to verify fundraising appeals before making contributions.

The Kampala incident echoes a broader pattern of child cancer fundraising scams uncovered in recent years.

An investigation by the BBC through its audio series, The Child Cancer Scam, alleged that an international crowdfunding network diverted more than Sh517 million ($4 million) raised in the names of seriously ill children.

According to the investigation, organisations including Chance Letikva (Chance for Hope), which operated across Israel and North America, allegedly created emotionally charged online campaigns featuring vulnerable children from countries including Ukraine, Colombia and the Philippines.

The children were reportedly encouraged to cry on camera, plead for help and, in some cases, shave their heads to appear critically ill.

Some families were also allegedly filmed with staged IV drips to reinforce the deception.

Despite millions of shillings being donated by well-wishers worldwide, the BBC reported that the nine families it investigated did not receive any of the money raised in their names.