Fake Bukedde Newspaper Cover Circulates on Social Media

A fake cover page of the Bukedde newspaper dated September 9, 2025, has been widely shared on social media, claiming that “OMUBBI WA TV AKWATIDWA MUBUKAMBWE,” which translates to “A television thief has been arrested without mercy.” After a thorough check of the official Bukedde website and Vision Group’s epaper archive for that date, it is clear that this cover page is not authentic.

What Did We Find?

The original Bukedde front page for September 9, 2025, differs significantly in design, headlines, and images from the circulated fake cover. While the fake image keeps the correct date and issue details, the main headline and story blocks have been digitally created and altered. Side-by-side comparison of the real and fake covers confirms that the fake paper contains images of a Political figure, "Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, the deputy spokesperson of the Opposition National Unity Platform to a headline that implicated him in a purported arrest for theft of a television set.

Where Did the Fake Cover Come From?

This fake newspaper cover was not shared by Bukedde’s official social media pages or its verified website. Instead, it was posted by unofficial accounts on X (formerly Twitter), like "Akello Jane Mary." These accounts appear to have unclear or possibly harmful motives behind spreading misinformation.

A screenshot of the fake Newspaper front page

Reverse Image Search Highlights Misinformation

A reverse image search shows that the altered newspaper cover first appeared on these unofficial accounts before spreading rapidly on social media. In contrast, Bukedde’s official platforms continue to share genuine content.

This image is not new

A side-by-side comparison of the original photo and the false photoshopped photo of Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro

We also found that Mufumbiro's face was photoshopped onto an image of a suspected thief in Nigeria. The first time we fact-checked this image was on July 30th 2025. That time, it was posted by another X account @GenActivistUg.

The real Bukedde Newspaper frontpage

This case highlights the importance of verifying news images by consulting official sources before believing or sharing them. Fake news like this spreads misinformation and confuses the public. Readers should always confirm stories using trusted news outlets and official pages to avoid being misled.

By verifying through official websites and exercising caution, everyone plays a role in preventing false information from spreading and keeping communities correctly informed.