Five arrested in shs 470m coffee theft case
The stolen coffee was initially diverted at Kawempe-Bwaise, transferred to Luzira using vehicles with registration numbers UAY 827Q and UBG 973L, and later rejected by the intended buyer.
Kampala Metropolitan Police has apprehended five suspects in connection with the theft of coffee beans valued at Shs 470 million, stolen in transit from Kasese to Nakawa, Kampala, on November 29-30, 2024.
The suspects Juma Musisi alias Young Mandela alias Masape (28), Keneth Muswabi (35), Kalule Medi (42), and Mugabi Martin (27)—were charged with stealing goods in transit and appeared before the Chief Magistrates Court in Nabweru.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson SSP Patrick Onyango confirmed the arrests and shared details of the elaborate scheme:
“A case of stealing goods in transit was reported at Kawempe Police Station under reference Kawempe CRB 2643/2024. Our investigation revealed that a truck carrying 21,600 kg of coffee beans, worth Shs 470 million, was diverted from its original route to Luzira, where the coffee was offloaded and later sold to a company. When the sale failed, the coffee was retrieved and transported again using motor vehicles with registration numbers UBD 151S and UAM 076N by the purported seller, Juma Musisi.”
The stolen coffee was initially diverted at Kawempe-Bwaise, transferred to Luzira using vehicles with registration numbers UAY 827Q and UBG 973L, and later rejected by the intended buyer.
While five suspects are in custody, police are pursuing four others: Asiimwe Allan, Kato Kiggundu, Joab Mucunguzi, and Saidi Kasule alias Bogere.
“Efforts are underway to apprehend and charge the remaining suspects. The Uganda Police Force encourages the public to come forth with any information leading to their arrest,” SSP Onyango stated.
The police reassured the public of their commitment to combating organized crime and urged vigilance in reporting any suspicious activity.
