BoU break-in probe widens as four more suspects charged

Investigations into the alleged break-in and theft at the headquarters of Bank of Uganda have widened after four additional suspects were arraigned in court, bringing the total number of accused persons in the case to 12.

The latest suspects, who include casual workers, a bus conductor, a phone accessories dealer and a computer technician, were on Thursday charged before the Grade One Magistrates Court at Buganda Road with office breaking, theft and receiving stolen property linked to the alleged theft of six laptop computers from the central bank.

The four accused are Boaz Kule Micheal, 19, a casual labourer from Wabigalo Zone in Makindye Division; Kabuya Ramadhan alias Rama, 27, a bus conductor; Rubangakene Isaac alias Izoo, a mobile phone accessories dealer; and Oedo Jorem Jude, 43, a computer technician from Kyengera Town Council in Wakiso District.

Their prosecution now expands a case that had initially focused on eight security personnel attached to the protection of the central bank premises, who were earlier charged with neglect to prevent a felony.

According to an amended charge sheet presented before Chief Magistrate Ritah Neumbe Kidasa, prosecution alleges that Kule and Kabuya, together with others still at large, broke into several offices at the Bank of Uganda headquarters on Plot 45 Kampala Road during the night of May 3, 2026.

Court heard that the pair allegedly broke into offices numbered 3A-02, 3A-03, 3A-04, 3A-05 and 3A-06 with intent to commit theft.

Prosecution further alleges that the suspects stole six laptop computers valued at Shs35.4 million belonging to the central bank. The stolen items reportedly included Lenovo ThinkBook and HP EliteBook laptops.

Rubangakene and Oedo were separately charged with receiving and retaining stolen property. Prosecutors told court that the two allegedly received and retained the laptops knowing, or having reason to believe, that the devices had been stolen from the central bank.

Court documents indicate that the two businessmen allegedly operated from Shop Number 3 on Level Four of Majestic Plaza along William Street in Kampala.

All four accused denied the charges and were remanded to Luzira Prison until May 29, 2026.

The latest developments add a new dimension to a case that had already raised concerns about security at one of Uganda’s most critical financial institutions.

Earlier, eight police officers and private security guards deployed at the Bank of Uganda premises were charged with neglect to prevent a felony contrary to Section 362 of the Penal Code Act.

The accused security personnel are Sgt Amone Joseph, PC Ouma Wilson, PC Omach Thomas, PC Mungusho Shafic, PC Oryono Brian, Onduri Alex, Orache Solomon and Ocen Morish.

Prosecution alleges that the officers and guards failed to use reasonable means to prevent the alleged office break-in and theft despite reportedly knowing that a felony was being committed.

The security officers previously appeared before Grade One Magistrate Rophine Achayo where they denied the charges and were also remanded to Luzira Prison.

Meanwhile, Kule and Kabuya are separately facing additional charges linked to an alleged break-in at offices of Stanbic Bank Uganda where laptops valued at about Shs27 million were reportedly stolen.

The pair denied those charges before Grade One Magistrate Winnie Nankya.

Prosecution told court that investigations into the alleged break-in at the central bank are still ongoing, with authorities indicating that more suspects remain at large.