By Weswa Ronnie
NATIONAL
The Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 23rd May, 2025 ordered the remand of four police officers to Luzira Prison on charges of robbing a businessman of gold valued at over Shs 380 million.
The accused Detective Superintendent James Besigye Kiguuya, Detective Corporals Simon Owona and Pracid Mulangira, and Officer Monday Tibaijuka are all members of the Flying Squad Unit stationed at Kireka Police Barracks in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District.
Appearing before Grade One Magistrate Frank Namanya on Friday, the quartet was charged with aggravated robbery and conspiracy to commit a felony. Prosecutors allege that on May 9, 2025, at Solent Avenue in Nakawa Division, the officers—alongside others still at large—stole one kilogram of gold worth $105,000 (approximately Shs 380 million) and $1,000 in cash from businessman John Vian Tumukunde
The suspects reportedly used firearms and other deadly weapons during the robbery. The prosecution also claims the suspects had planned the crime in advance.
Due to the severity of the charges, which are capital in nature, the suspects were not permitted to enter pleas, as such cases fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court. State Attorney Odong Martin Awiny informed the court that investigations are still ongoing.
The suspects will remain in custody until June 12.
Uganda has seen a rise in gold-related fraud, with foreign investors frequently targeted. Security personnel, sometimes working in concert with fraudulent individuals posing as legal experts, have been linked to several of these high-stakes scams. Some implicated law firms maintain they operate strictly within the law.
