Soldiers, policemen wanted over gold theft

By Cecilia Okoth

Police are hunting for two UPDF soldiers and two police constables, part of a gang behind last year’s theft of Gold worth sh2bn at the Entebbe International Airport.

The four according to a charge sheet were part of 14 other suspects implicated in the racket, one of the biggest Gold thefts in the country in the recent past.

Five out of the 14 suspects appeared before the Entebbe Grade one Magistrate Joyce Kavuma on January 23 and were remanded to prison.

Wilson Okuonzi, Alex Arinaitwe, Dan Biretwa,Paul Kalanda and Kenneth Mwesigye were charged with embezzlement contrary to section 19 (b) (iii) of  the Anti-Corruption Act. These according to the charge sheet were employees of the Entebbe Handling Services Limited (ENHAS).

 According to the prosecution contends that the suspects stole the property of Midas All Minerals Company to which they had access by virtue of their respective offices.

Prosecution said other suspects were still at large but the five are today (February 6) scheduled to appear before the anti-corruption court.

Some of the suspects still on the run include two UPDF soldiers and two police constables. According to the charge sheet they are 39 year old Chris K Agaba a Cpl; Simon Taline, 27, a corporal in the police; Sgt Robert Imodoi, 43, and  a one Lt. Byaruhanga.

Others include Charles Katende, Richard Batenda, Felix Mafabi, Joseph Aine and Charles Owori. However, when contacted Police Spokesman Assuman Mugenyi yesterday said he needed to consult on the matter.

However, other sources in the know said investigations were still on going and the hunt for the suspects among them soldiers and policemen was on. The suspects, prosecution alleged committed the crime on November 1 last year.

Investigations indicate that the gold was cleared from the ENHAS strong room and escorted by security to United Arab Emirates plane destined for Dubai like other vital consignments when it was stolen.