Twelve suspects including two police officers have been charged with aggravated robbery following the break-in at the home of Hajj Mafabi Sulaiman Lumolo and his wife Hon. Amb. Nekesa Barbara Oundo.
The incident happened on December 5, 2023, at around 04:47 am, at their residence at Kyeitabya zone, Bukasa parish, Makindye division Kampala district.
“The facts gathered indicate that the couple had money kept in dollars and shillings, in their house, which PC Wango Michael, having stayed at the residence as a home guard, for more than one and half years came to know about,” said SCP Fred Enanga, police spokesperson.
PC Wango reportedly hatched a plan with two other police officers Sgt Idro Dominic and PC Mugoya Sharif. The mission, which included Arinda Edgar alias Watson and Niwagaba Rogers, was hatched two weeks before the robbery.
“However, on 5.12.2023, the mission was executed by PC Wango Michael, PC Mugoya Sharif, Arinda Edgar alias Watson and Palaso who replaced Niwagaba Rogers,” explained Enanga.
“To help avoid detection, the mastermind PC Wango, disabled the alarm system, which was controlled and monitored by the guards at the main gate security sentry room. He also disconnected the electric wires, mounted on top of the perimeter wall, as well as the security lights around the area, he had earmarked for entry. He further adjusted the CCTV cameras, to avoid capturing footage from the direction his accomplices would use.”
At around 10 pm, PC Mugoya Sharif, Arinda Edgar alias Watson and Palaso gained entry into the compound and laid in wait until 4 am.
“They inflicted controlled injuries on PC Wango Michael’s head, picked the two rifles in his possession, and thereafter, proceeded to the servants’ quarters, where they forced the 3 maids, to open the main house. After gaining entry, into the main house, the suspects broke the 4 doors inside the house. They traced and located Hon. Amb. Nekesa, from her hiding place and threatened to harm her, and she led them to the bedroom, where they kept their money.”
According to Enanga, Amb Nekesa’s husband was not at home.
“The suspects accessed the money in Ugandan shillings and carried their loot in five bags, full of cash. They escaped through the small gate with five bags of cash, an iPhone, 12 Promax, a golden ring, a DVR for a CCTV system, a Techno Spark 9 smartphone, and a Huawei 19 mobile phone.”
They also disappeared with the two police guns and 60 rounds of ammunition which PC Mugoya Sharif abandoned in a potato garden, 200 metres away from the residence.
“They proceeded and hid in a banana plantation, where their rider Kalinda Josh found them. They had in their possession 3 bags, after two other bags were hurriedly dropped, in the banana plantation by Arinda Edgar and Palaso, when they saw a local security guard advancing towards them, with a torch.”
PC Mugoya Sharif and Arinda Edgar alias Watson, boarded one motorcycle, to Nsambya barracks with two bags of cash as Palaso boarded another motorcycle and disappeared from his accomplices with a bag containing an unspecified amount of money, narrated Enanga.
Hon. Amb. Nekesa reported a robbery of Shs41m that was hers. An additional complaint made by her husband stated that Shs2.2bn was robbed from his safe.
The total amount stolen from the home was Shs 2.241.000.000/= (Two billion, two hundred and forty-one billion).
“While at the barracks, PC Mugoya distributed in two bags as follows: -i) Ugx 220 million was kept for PC Wango Michael (out of which 20m was reserved to secure his bail) in case he is charged to court. It was handed over to his uncle Basooma Emmanuel who travelled from Budongo village in Namutumba district to Nsambya barracks, ii) Arinda Edgar Watson was given Ugx 200m, iii) the boda boda rider was given Ugx 20m, iv) Sgt Idro Dominic who did not participate was given Ugx 8.8m and v) PC Mugoya Sharif kept for himself Ugx 230m.”
According to police, on December 10, 2023, Opio Samuel Obote, a 60-year-old casual labourer, while grazing goats of his boss Matiya Rulangwa at Kyeyitabya village, picked an unspecified amount of money together with an empty bag and a CT police uniform.
He kept it in a container and started spending it lavishly. His boss Rulangwa and one Masembe also picked some of the money. The balance was handed over to Apunyo Patrick by Opio and they escaped and hid in Lugazi.
PC Wango Michael, Arinda Edga alias Watson, PC Mugoya Sharif, Basooma Emmanuel, Niwagaba Rogers, Opio Samuel Obote and Matiya Rulangwa were charged with four counts of aggravated robbery.
Ssempanga Joseph alias Mulwma, Nyiro Moses and Apunyo Patrick were charged with receiving and retaining suspected stolen property and then Sgt Idro Dominic was charged with being an accessory, after the fact.
All 12 suspects appeared before the Chief Magistrates Court in Makindye and were remanded until the 25th of January 2024 for further mention of the case.
“Efforts are now in place to locate one Palaso and other accomplices, who are still at large, trace for asses bought with proceeds from the crime,” said Enanga.
He added: “As evidenced by the police action, the Uganda Police continues to make rooting out corruption and misconduct at all levels, one of its top criminal priorities. The top leadership also continues to thank the majority of officers who pride themselves on high standards of integrity, discipline and professionalism to keep our citizens and country safe.”