The Makindye Chief Magistrate’s court has charged a hotel manager with robbery after he allegedly kidnapped a Kenyan businessman and robbed him of $30,000(about shillings 114 million).

Last month, the same court charged four Police officers with the same offence.

The officers attached to Kabalagala Police Station appeared before the court’s Grade One Magistrate, Igga Adiru and denied the charge of simple robbery.

They are detective constables Phiona Among, 28; Isaac Angula, 27; Shafik Baluku, 26 and Police Constable Bernard Galenda.

Simple robbery attracts a maximum sentence of three years upon conviction.

The officers are currently on bail.

On Friday, February 2, 2024, Richard Ochirican 34, appeared before the same magistrate and denied the charge of simple robbery.

Senior State Attorney Hope Rukundo informed the court that inquiries were still ongoing and asked the court to adjourn the case for mention.

This prompted the magistrate to remand the manager to February 12, 2024, for mention.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Prosecution alleges that on January 17, 2024, the accused and others still at large at Royal View Hotel in Buziga zone, Makindye division, Kampala city robbed Muhammad Olad Abdirahman of $30,000.

Enanga said Abdirahman, who was in the company of his wife, had sought accommodation at the hotel.

It is said that Abdirahman inquired from the hotel manager for a forex bureau, which would offer him a good exchange rate for his $30,000.

Instead of helping out his client, the manager allegedly contacted a Police officer (Among), who in turn allegedly tipped off his colleagues about the lucrative opportunity.

The officers reportedly lured Abdirahman using a fake foreign exchange broker, only identified as Okello, before kidnapping him.

Enanga said Abdirahman was forced into a car and driven to a hideout, behind Kabalagala Police Station, from where they allegedly robbed him of all his money before setting him free.

The businessman later notified his colleague, who reported to the Police, leading to the arrest of the four officers.

A search of their homes allegedly resulted in the recovery of some of the stolen money.