A BBC Africa Eye investigation has uncovered a large-scale scam involving hundreds of social media accounts operated from Mityana, a town in central Uganda. These accounts, posing as pet shelter fundraisers on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube, have raised more than £540,000 over five years via GoFundMe. Many of these operations are believed to be fraudulent.
An undercover reporter revealed that dogs are used as props to generate content and revenue. One TikTok video posted in January showed an injured dog named Russet, for whom thousands of pounds were raised. After a UK donor secured his release, a vet found his injuries were unlikely accidental. Despite treatment, Russet died. The vet, Dr Isa Lutebemberwa, said the dog endured severe pain and suffering.
Lianne Stone, a 38-year-old carer from Manchester, was among those deceived. She donated over £1,300—more than half her savings—after seeing heartbreaking videos of starving puppies. She said: 'They fooled me. I thought I was making a difference.' The scammers assured her the money would feed the dogs, but investigators found funds were used to buy phones, cars and for pool parties.
Investigators reviewed hundreds of fundraising pages, with nearly 40% linked to Mityana shelters. One shelter operator, Charles Lubajja, admitted the shelter exists to make money from social media viewers abroad. He was secretly filmed advising on how to increase revenues, including faking veterinary treatments. Bart Kakooza of the Uganda Society for the Protection and Care of Animals said: 'These young men realised they can make money if they get a dog.'
