Ugandan Musician Royal Jeff, Real Name Ssemanda Timothy, Accused of Deceiving Fiancée and Donors in Heartbreaking Scam
Singer Royal Jeff, whose real name is Ssemanda Timothy, has found himself at the center of a shocking scandal after his fiancée, Paula, a South Carolina woman, publicly accused him of scamming her and others through a fabricated orphanage story. The allegations are stirring both anger and disbelief among his fans and followers.
Paula claims to have met Royal Jeff in February 2023, when he was still living in Mityana. At the time, he was not yet the celebrity figure he is known as today. Instead, he portrayed himself as a philanthropist raising funds to support his orphanage and 20 children under his care. This emotional appeal to his followers led Paula to contribute money through a mutual friend, Isaac, to support the cause.
For months, the two communicated regularly, with Royal Jeff sharing personal stories of his struggles, claiming he lived in the ghettos and dreamed of providing a better life for the orphans. His narrative became more convincing when he revealed that the orphanage building was at risk of being sold because the landlord could no longer afford the property. According to Jeff, purchasing the building would only cost $6,000—an amount Paula willingly sent to help secure the future of the children.
However, after a year of correspondence, Paula made the decision to visit Uganda and see the children in person. Upon arrival, Royal Jeff allegedly rented a car and, along with a friend, greeted her at the airport and took her to a guest house in Mityana. While there, he presented Paula with what appeared to be official documents proving his ownership of the orphanage property. Unfortunately, it was later revealed that these documents were fake.
After visiting multiple orphanages and doing some digging, Paula discovered that the so-called orphanage was never a real institution. The property in question was not owned by Jeff but was actually owned by his mother, who had allegedly used the children in the house as a way to perpetuate the scam. To further deceive Paula, Jeff reportedly claimed that his mother, Janet, was his aunt.
“We visited three orphanages, and one of them turned out to be a scam. That’s when I realized the truth. I also visited Timothy’s mother’s house, but the children weren’t even living there. Right now, his Instagram is private, but he used the money I sent for his own family’s benefit—not for the orphans. He hurt not only me but also the people who trusted him,” Paula stated in a scathing revelation.
Paula is determined to expose Royal Jeff for his deceit and has promised to release a series of videos detailing the scam. She also plans to highlight how Jeff transitioned from his supposed work with the orphanage to his music career in Kampala, all the while continuing to deceive his followers for personal gain.
"This is why many people, especially in America, are reluctant to donate money to African causes," Paula continued. "It's people like Timothy who tarnish the image of genuine charitable work and hurt real efforts to help children in need."
As the story continues to unfold, fans and the public are left questioning the authenticity of Royal Jeff’s philanthropic efforts and music career. The backlash against the singer is growing, with many calling for accountability and for him to return the money he allegedly misappropriated.
This scandal serves as a harsh reminder of the dangers of online scams and the vulnerability of well-meaning donors. Greenwashing, false claims, and exploitation of charitable causes continue to be an issue, not just in Uganda but globally.
Royal Jeff has yet to publicly respond to these accusations, and the investigation into the legitimacy of his claims and business dealings is ongoing.
