Police disowns their own involved in stealing coffee Worth UGX 380 million.

KAMPALA – UGANDA: A police officer together with other three suspects have appeared before the Chief Magistrates court Mukono under the charges of stealing goods in transit valued at UGX 380 million.

The apprehended individuals include; D/ASP Katende Ali, a Police Officer attached to Katwe Police Station, David Kihara Muthoni 28, a Kenyan national and Samuel Njeru Maina, 36, a Kenyan national.

The other suspect is Musisi Juma 28, with whom they both are alleged to have stolen 21,600 Kgs of coffee beans, valued at Shs 380,000,000 owned by Export Trading Company.

The Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, Patrick Onyango confirmed that on 4th July 2024, a case of stealing goods in transit was reported at Mukono Police Station, prompting an investigation, under reference Mukono CRB 982/2024.

Onyango said the investigation revealed that a truck KCD 177N/ZF 4760, carrying 21,600 Kgs of coffee beans, was diverted from the original route Kampala-Jinja highway to Kyetume along the Mukono-Katosi Road between 3-4 July this last year.

“The investigation revealed that a truck carrying 21,600 Kgs of coffee beans, valued at Shs 380,000,000 and owned by Export Trading Company, was diverted from its original route on July 3-4, 2024. The truck, with registration number KCD 177N/ZF 4760, was diverted from the Kampala-Jinja highway to Kyetume along the Mukono-Katosi Road.” Said Onyango.

The Police spokesperson added that the coffee was then offloaded into another truck, UAK 416C, which fled the scene and was later impounded by the Police officers and is being held as evidence.

Onyango further disowned the involvement of a police officer in the case on behalf of the force describing the act as an individual and said that the efforts are underway to apprehend and charge the remaining suspects still at large.

“The Uganda Police Force emphasizes that it does not tolerate criminal behavior, and any officer found guilty of wrongdoing will be held accountable. The actions of the officer involved in this case do not reflect the values of the Uganda Police Force, which remains committed to protecting and serving the community.” Onyango noted.