Kampala, Uganda — The Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court has remanded four police officers to Luzira Prison over allegations of robbing a businessman of gold worth more than 380 million shillings, in what prosecutors describe as a premeditated, armed operation by law enforcement insiders.
The accused; Detective Superintendent of Police James Besigye Kiguuya, Detective Corporals Simon Owona and Pracid Mulangira, and Monday Tibaijuka—are all attached to the Police Flying Squad based at Kireka Police Barracks in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District.
Appearing before Grade One Magistrate Frank Namanya on Friday, the four officers were formally charged with aggravated robbery and conspiracy to commit a felony, both capital offences.
According to the prosecution, the group along with unidentified accomplices still at large—on May 9th, robbed businessman John Vian Tumukunde of one kilogram of gold valued at approximately USD 105,000 (about UGX 386 million) and an additional USD 1,000 in cash, during an incident that occurred on Solent Avenue in Nakawa Division, Kampala.
Prosecutors allege the suspects used firearms, including a pistol and other guns, to execute the robbery qualifying the crime under Uganda’s laws as aggravated due to the involvement of deadly weapons.
Magistrate Namanya informed the accused that they could not take plea, as the Magistrates Court lacks the jurisdiction to try capital offences. The case is expected to be referred to the High Court for full trial.
State Attorney Martin Odong Awiny told the court that investigations are ongoing. The suspects have been remanded to Luzira Prison until June 12th.
This latest incident adds to growing concerns over the involvement of security personnel in high-level fraud and violent crimes.
Uganda has seen a surge in gold-related scams, often targeting foreign investors who are lured with promises of legitimate gold deals only to fall victim to elaborate cons.
Authorities have linked several of these crimes to rogue security officers acting in collusion with individuals posing as legal representatives from local law firms.
While some firms implicated in past schemes claim to be merely offering legitimate legal services, the pattern has raised red flags among anti-corruption agencies.
This case, involving uniformed officers entrusted with national security, underscores the urgent need for institutional reform and tighter oversight of specialized police units such as the Flying Squad.
As investigations continue, questions linger over how deep the conspiracy goes—and whether more arrests could follow in a scandal that has once again shaken public trust in law enforcement.
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