By Nelly Otto
Jinja
A recent statement on the missing AC unit at CPS Jinja by the Kiira Regional Police spokesperson SP James Mubi has sparked controversy in the public spaces including social media platforms.
SP Mubi explained that a technical team conducted a scheduled maintenance on all AC units at Jinja CPS.
“…the technical team on Monday September 15 conducted its regular servicing on the AC units at CPS Jinja Central…the purpose is to enhance performance of the CCTV cameras by ensuring reliable footage capture, proper airflow and temperature regulation…” reads part of the press release.
SP James Mubi in the statement dated 16th September,2025 dismissed as false information that had circulated the various social media platforms that the unit was stolen.
“…the public is hereby informed that the false and misleading information should be disregarded, the record has been set straight…”, concluded the Mubi-authored statement.
SP Mubi refuted claims that an air conditioning unit was stolen from the Jinja Central Police Station (CPS), explaining that the equipment was undergoing routine services.
Most media houses including mainstream and social media platforms quickly ran the rebuttal without questioning or probing why the exercise was done at night and why one unit was removed.
However, many have scoffed at the unconvincing explanation, questioning how only one unit could be removed while its twin remains hanging on the wall of the aged and dilapidated 1928 colonial-era police station.
SP Mubi’s desperate attempts to spin the narrative have been unconvincing because after all some suspects including police personnel were briefly held and released on police bond.
Information from trusted sources say the air conditioning unit was actually stolen by yet-to-be established suspects whose motives remain unclear because the same unit can not be installed in another location.
Members of the public are puzzled as to how any civilian can sneak and steal an AC unit that was securely installed on the wall of the well-guarded police station without any of the more than 20 personnel noticing.
Some sources familiar with issues at police stations particularly CPS Jinja suspect an inside collusion with wrong elements outside aimed at ‘neutralising’ the new DPC SP David Kamugira whom they accused of alleged arrogance.
The incident comes against the backdrop of past theft incidents at Jinja CPS including the theft of a flat-screen television from the station’s reception area (counter)in 2020.
SP James Mubi known for his prompt and media-friendly approach has always typically provided truthful and accurate information to the media including the more than a dozen of local radio stations dotted in the region.
However, the air-conditioning saga has raised concerns about his stance with many questioning whether he will prioritise defending the image of the UPF over addressing accountability issues.
SP James Mubi has always confirmed incidents like arrests of suspects, thefts, murder and other related crimes. He is also known for providing updates and information and also appealed for public assistance on some issues that would help detectives in executing their duties.
In the light of these past interactions, the air conditioning saga is already testing his ability to balance transparency with institutional loyalty. Many are asking whether Mubi will maintain his reputation for truthfulness or he will bend to the side that butters his bread.
In a related development, we have learnt that eight civilian suspects were picked up from Kirinya Road, an area known for its numerous garages and spare parts shops.
The suspects were detained at the CPS and the once-infamous Nalufuenya Police for questioning on the same matter.
Some police officers who were on night duty were also briefly detained and released on police bond.
These include ASP C. Manara who was the Senior Standby Officer (SSO), AIP Mutibwa who was the Duty Officer and another one who was the Station Guard and others who were on duty on the fateful night.
The controversy comes on the heels of a separate incident where nine suspects escaped from Jinja CPS on March 30. The suspects, initially detained for serious offenses, broke free under circumstances being investigated by the Kiira Region Police Command.
One escapee was recaptured, but the rest are still at large.
As the investigation continues, members of the public remain skeptical about the police’s handling of the matter.
By press time today, Saturday, 20th September, 2025, only one of the AC units which survived remains standing lonely with many people asking how long will the so-called maintenance work as announced by James Mubi take.
