Details have emerged regarding the raid on the home of the NRM Treasurer, where thugs stole Shs2.241 billion.
According to the police spokesperson Fred Enanga, the incident occurred on December 5, 2023, when criminals forcibly entered Ambassador Barbra Nekesa’s (NRM Treasurer) home in Bukesa, Makindye Division, making off with an unspecified amount of money, later confirmed to be Shs2.241 billion.
Enanga said that their investigations revealed that the robbery was planned by Wango Michael, a police officer guarding Ambassador Barbra Nekesa’s home.
The plan unfolded after Wango Michael discovered that his principal, together with her husband Sulaiman Mafabi Lumoro, a businessman, kept large sums of money, including Ugandan Shillings and Dollars.
Enanga detailed that Wango Michael collaborated with four other police officers – Mugoya Sharifu, Igro Dominic, Arinda Edgar alias Waston, and Niwagaba Rogers.
On December 5, the group, consisting of Wango Michael, Mugoya Sharifu, Igro Dominic, Arinda Edgar, Pallaso (replacing Niwagaba Rogers), and Karinda Josh waiting on a boda boda rider, successfully executed the mission.
During the attack, the suspects inflicted controlled wounds on Wango Michael to create the illusion of an external attack.
Fred Enanga confirmed that the suspects fled with five bags filled with cash and hid in a nearby banana plantation. Two bags were taken by Mugoya Sharifu and Wango Michael, while the third bag was taken by Pallaso.
Pallaso also left two bags in the banana plantation after an unknown security guard attempted to intervene with a flashlight.
Enanga further explained that Mugoya Sharif began sharing the loot in the two bags at Nsambya police barracks. Shs220 million was reserved for Wango Michael, with Shs20 million earmarked for Wango’s potential bail in case of charges.
“He explains that Shs 220 million was handed to his uncle Basoma Emmanuel, who travelled from Namutumba to Nsambya barracks to pick up the money,” says Enanga.
He adds that Shs200 million was given to Edgar Arinda, while the boda boda rider, Josh Kalinda, received Shs20 million for riding the getaway motorcycle. Nuwagaba, who withdrew from the mission after participating in its planning, was given Shs8 million.
On the other hand, Sharif Mugoya kept Shs230 million for himself. However, Samuel Opio Obote, a casual laborer near Nekesa’s home grazing goats, stumbled upon two bags full of an unspecified amount of money and a police uniform.
“He got money and put it in a makeshift container where he was sleeping. He started drinking and spending lavishly, prompting his boss to notice. On checking Opio’s room, his boss realized a huge sum of money and picked some,” Enanga said.
Opio handed the remaining cash to a relative, Patrick Abinye, who drove him away and hid him in Lugazi.
Following the arrest, only two bags of cash were accounted for, while Pallaso is on the run with another.
So far, 12 suspects have appeared before the Makindye magistrate court and have been remanded to Luzira prison until January 25, 2023.