Four policemen remanded over Shs 380m gold robbery

The Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s court has remanded four police officers to Luzira prison for allegedly robbing businessman John Vian Tumukunde of one kilogram of gold worth more than Shs 380 million.

The suspects; Detective Superintendent of Police James Besigye Kiguuya, Detective Corporals Simon Owona and Pracid Mulangira, and Monday Tibaijuka are all attached to the Flying Squad unit based at Kireka police barracks in Kira Municipality, Wakiso district.

They appeared before grade one magistrate Frank Namanya on Friday and were charged with aggravated robbery and conspiracy to commit a felony. Prosecution alleges that on May 9, 2025, at Solent Avenue in Nakawa Division, the accused officers, together with others still at large, robbed Tumukunde of gold valued at $105,000 (about Shs 380 million) and $1,000 in cash.

The officers are said to have used deadly weapons, including pistols and guns, to execute the robbery. The prosecution further alleges the group had conspired in advance to carry out the attack.

The accused were not allowed to plead to the charges since the offences are capital in nature and can only be tried by the High court. State attorney Odong Martin Awiny told court that investigations are still ongoing.

The suspects were remanded until June 12. Cases of gold-related fraud continue to rise in Uganda, with foreign investors being among the most affected. Security personnel, often in collusion with unscrupulous individuals posing as legal professionals, have been implicated in several high-value scams.

Some law firms accused of complicity insist they are only offering legal services within the confines of the law.