Kampala, Uganda — Police have arrested four suspects and recovered more than Shs54.5 million following an intelligence-led operation linked to the alleged theft of Shs200 million from a residence in Lugazi.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire, the operation began in the early hours of Thursday, July 16, after officers at Yesu Amala Police Station received credible information about two men carrying a suspicious bag around Nansana Heights Building in Ochieng One Zone.
Police intercepted the two suspects and searched the bag, recovering Shs35,611,500 in cash. The pair was immediately arrested and taken into custody for questioning.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly told detectives that the money had been given to them by Ramathan Kafeero. Acting on the information, police traced Kafeero to Standard Rose Site Guest House in Nansana, where he was arrested.
A search of Kafeero’s room led to the recovery of an additional Shs18,900,000, bringing the total amount of cash recovered to Shs54,511,500. Detectives also seized four newly purchased smartphones, a laptop computer, and several household items believed to have been bought using proceeds of the alleged theft.
Preliminary investigations indicate that Kafeero is suspected of stealing Shs200 million from his grandmother in Lugazi. The incident had earlier been reported to Lugazi Police Station, where a case was opened.
Police said Kafeero allegedly told investigators that he had handed over Shs100 million to a traditional healer, Ssalongo Kato Nsobya, of Kavumba in Wakiso District, to perform rituals intended to “cleanse” the money.
Following the statement, police arrested Nsobya and searched his residence. Officers recovered Shs120,000 and a goat allegedly purchased for the ritual. However, the alleged Shs100 million was not found during the search.
Owoyesigyire said all the recovered cash and exhibits have been secured as evidence and will be transferred to Lugazi Police Station to support the ongoing investigations.
The four suspects remain in police custody as detectives continue searching for the unrecovered money and investigating whether additional individuals were involved in the alleged theft.
Police emphasized that investigations are ongoing, and all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
