Seven remanded over theft of Shs 620m cash from forex bureau operator

Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s court has remanded seven youths to Luzira Prison on charges of aggravated robbery of Shs 620 million from a forex bureau operator in Kampala. 

The suspects, aged between 18 and 30, were arraigned before senior principal magistrate grade one Winnie Nankya Jatiko, who read to them a single count of aggravated robbery.

The court did not allow the accused persons to take a plea, since the offence is capital in nature and can only be tried by the High court. 

Those remanded include Ashiraf Mulindwa, a self-employed resident of Kyebando Kabulengwa in Wakiso district; Akid Khalid, a boda boda rider from Naluvule village; Muhammed Kayiira, a farmer from Kasekere village; Tamim Kawaganya; Ivan Ongom, a marketer and promoter from Kira Municipality; Ismail Maso Kasozi, a self-employed resident of Kabunza Cell in Matuga Ward; and Ivan Gizamba, a hawker from Nansana in Nabweru Municipality.

Prosecution alleges that on March 26, 2026, at Centenary bank’s Nkrumah Road branch in Kampala, the accused persons and others still at large robbed Gisma Zulaika Hussein of a black backpack containing Shs 620 million, property of Economic Exchange Forex Bureau. 

According to the charge sheet, the suspects were armed with dangerous weapons, including pangas, during the robbery or immediately before or after committing the offence.

State attorney Grace Amy informed the court that investigations are still ongoing and requested an adjournment. The accused were consequently remanded to Luzira Prison until June 15, 2026, when they will return for mention as investigations continue. 

The case adds to a growing list of financial crime proceedings before Buganda Road Chief Magistrates court, where cases of electronic fraud and large-scale bank theft have become increasingly common. 

Barely a month ago, the same court remanded eight individuals on charges of electronic fraud and theft of Shs 6 billion from Finance Trust Bank.

Those remanded included Travies Nakabbunge, a broker; Ernest Mulindwa alias Abbas, a businessman; Robert Kaweesi, a farmer; Robert Kisitu alias “Digital,” a businessman; and Nicholas Ssekyanzi, a businessman of Rwandan nationality, all residents of Makindye-Ssabagabo in Wakiso district.

Others were Sister Kyoheirwe, a self-employed resident of Kyabukaju II Cell in Ntungamo district; Doreen Nantale alias Vanesa, a businesswoman from Buikwe district; and Amos Lyada, an infrastructure security analyst residing in Kira Municipality.

Prosecution stated that between April 3 and April 8, 2026, the group and others still at large allegedly accessed Finance Trust Bank’s core banking system and electronically diverted Shs 6 billion to 53 MTN Mobile Money numbers and 80 Airtel Mobile Money numbers in a coordinated fraud scheme. 

In another related case in October 2025, four individuals, including a Rwandan national, were remanded over an attempted fraudulent withdrawal of Shs 725 million from a Stanbic bank account belonging to Enid Kukunda.

The suspects included Joel Mucunguzi, a driver from Entebbe; Elizabeth Mbabazi, a Rwandan businesswoman residing in Kyengera (who has since been convicted); Faridah Kobusingye from Kampala; and Flower Njawuzi, also known as Florence Mega Kanywani, a businesswoman from Wakiso district. 

In the same month, boda boda rider George Byaruhanga was also remanded over allegations of defrauding Centenary bank of Shs 332 million through impersonation and electronic fraud.

The court heard that Byaruhanga allegedly used a falsified national ID to impersonate Ronald Kintu, enabling him to register on the bank’s biometric system, obtain a Visa card, and withdraw funds through both over-the-counter and mobile banking channels. 

Prosecution further alleges that he transferred Shs 250 million to an Exim bank account and withdrew an additional Shs 32.2 million shillings via agent banking, using forged documents to access the funds.

In October 2024, six other individuals were charged at Buganda Road court over the theft of Shs 1 billion from Centenary bank’s Mapeera branch in Kampala. The suspects included Simei Rutinampola, a banking agent from Wakiso district; Newton Ayesiga, a businessman from Kira Municipality; Idris Kasozi, an agent banker from Kawempe; Shafiq Mugulo, a businessman from Makindye; Fred Byabasaija, an electrician; and Farouk Kiyemba from Luwero District.

Prosecution stated that Ayesiga received Shs 250 million, Kasozi received Shs 350 million, Mugulo received Shs 100 million, Byabasaija received Shs 200 million, and Kiyemba received Shs 100 million, all proceeds of the alleged theft routed through different accounts and forex bureaus.

The post Seven remanded over theft of Shs 620m cash from forex bureau operator appeared first on The Observer.

المصدر: The Observer (Uganda)