Four more suspects charged over BOU laptop theft

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Four key suspects linked to the theft of laptops from Bank of Uganda have been charged and remanded to Luzira Prison, bringing the total number of those arraigned in court over the robbery to 12.

Two weeks ago, five Police officers and three private security personnel were also remanded over alleged failure to prevent thieves from breaking into the central bank’s premises.

The BOU robbery, which took place at the head office on Plot 45, Kampala Road (the shorter tower near City Square), resulted in the theft of seven laptops.

The latest suspects, who were arrested from the city suburbs of Namuwongo and Villa Park in Nsambya, are Michael Boaz Kule, 19, a casual worker; Ramathan Kabuya alias Rama, 27, a bus conductor; Isaac Rubangakene alias Izoo, 32, a mobile phone accessories dealer at Faith Mobile; and Jude Jorem Oedo, 43, a bus computer technician.

Kule and Oedo are also facing separate charges of theft and office breaking before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court over the alleged theft of laptops from Stanbic Bank. Inquiries into their matter are still ongoing.

The charge sheet in the BoU case was amended yesterday to include the four new suspects.

The Police officers are Sgt. Joseph Amone, 39; PC Wilson Ouma, 22; PC Thomas Omach, 26; PC Shafic Mungusho, 24; and PC Brian Oryono, 22, all attached to the Directorate of Counter Terrorism Tactical Unit.

The other accused are Morish Ocen, 28, a security guard with Saracen Uganda Ltd; Alex Onduri, 35; and Solomon Orache, 25, both security guards attached to Ultimate Security Limited.

The four new suspects (Kule, Oedo, Kabuya and Rubangakene) appeared before Chief Magistrate Ritah Neumbe Kidasa and denied charges of office breaking and theft, contrary to Sections 277(a), 237(1) and 244 of the Penal Code Act.

They are also charged with receiving and retaining stolen property, contrary to Section 294(1) of the Penal Code Act, as well as neglect to prevent a felony, contrary to Section 362 of the same Act.

Upon conviction, the offences of office breaking, neglect to prevent a felony, and receiving and retaining stolen property attract a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment, while theft carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail.

State Attorney Grace Amy informed the court that investigations into the matter are still ongoing.

“We pray that you adjourn the case to another date to allow the Police to complete inquiries into the matter,” she said.

The magistrate adjourned the case to May 29, 2026, when the four suspects, together with the Police officers and private security personnel, will return to court for a hearing of their bail application.