The Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court has remanded 16 supporters of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) to Luzira Prison on charges of robbery.
The group, comprising youths aged between 16 and 28, appeared before Senior Principal Grade One Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiko on Tuesday. They were charged with one count of robbery contrary to Sections 266 and 267 of the Penal Code Act, which they all denied.
The suspects, residents of Kampala and Wakiso districts, were arrested in connection with a robbery that occurred on Saturday near the National Theatre in Kampala.
According to the prosecution, led by State Attorney Allan Mucunguzi, the group—along with others still at large—allegedly robbed a man identified as Kigozi Abdul of a Samsung Galaxy phone, a Nokia handset, and Shillings 600,000 in cash. The total value of the stolen items is estimated at Shillings 1.45 million.
Court documents indicate that the suspects, some of whom wore yellow T-shirts bearing President Yoweri Museveni’s image, reportedly used violence during the incident and inflicted grievous harm on the victim.
Those remanded include Turinawe Emmanuel, Nsereko Jamir, Maikuma Ashirtaf, Tumusiime Ronald, Lugwa Joseph alias Muyindi, Kengozi Jenipher, Mulani Shaban, Monday Joseph, Mugezi Isaac Benjamin alias Sparta—a Senior Five student at St. Francis SS Nansana—Asaba Umarau Lakika, Serunkuma Derrick, Matovu Kenneth alias Cobra, Ogenyi Robert alias Ali Corbikz, Makafu Richard, Bwambale Edgar, and Kadama Abdul.
State Attorney Mucunguzi informed the court that investigations are complete. Magistrate Nankya remanded the group until July 18, 2025, when the hearing is scheduled to begin.
Earlier the same day, the Law Development Centre Court also remanded 14 other NRM supporters on similar charges related to Saturday’s street robberies.
The suspects—ranging from students and mechanics to boda boda riders and casual workers—are believed to have links to the NRM party.
Many had previously participated in party mobilisation and campaign activities. However, their political affiliation was not considered relevant to the charges in court.
The cases, registered under separate criminal files at Wandegeya Police Station, are being prosecuted under Sections 266 (Robbery), 267(1)(a), and 237 (Theft) of the Penal Code Act.
Their troubles began on Saturday when a video went viral showing several of them wearing yellow T-shirts in the streets, coinciding with President Museveni’s expression of interest to run for NRM party flag bearer and chairman in the 2026 general elections.
Security personnel later used the footage to identify the suspects, who were tracked down and detained at Wandegeya Police Station before being presented in court.
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