The police in Mukono are holding a police officer and two Kenyan nationals for diverting a truck carrying 21,600 kilograms of coffee valued at Shs 380 million.
On July 4, 2024, a case of stealing goods in transit was reported at Mukono Police Station, prompting an investigation under reference Mukono CRB 982/2024.
The investigation revealed that a truck carrying 21,600 kg of coffee beans, valued at Shs 380,000,000 and owned by Export Trading Company, was diverted from its original route on July 3-4, 2024. The truck, with registration number KCD 177N/ZF 4760, was diverted from the Kampala-Jinja highway to Kyetume along the Mukono-Katosi Road. The coffee was then offloaded into another truck, registration number UAK 416C, which fled the scene.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesman Patrick Onyango says that the diverted truck was later impounded and is being held as an exhibit.
Four individuals were arrested and charged with stealing goods in transit. They include:
David Kihara Muthoni, 28, a Kenyan national; Samuel Njeru Maina, 36, a Kenyan national; and D/ASP Katende Ali, a police officer attached to Katwe Police Station.
Also arreste was Musisi Juma, 28.
Onyango says that the suspects appeared in Chief Magistrates Court, Mukono.
Efforts are underway to apprehend and charge the remaining suspects who are still at large, added Onyango.
He said: The Uganda Police Force emphasizes that it does not tolerate criminal behavior, and any officer found guilty of wrongdoing will be held accountable. The actions of the officer involved in this case do not reflect the values of the Uganda Police Force, which remains committed to protecting and serving the community.”
According to Onyango, “This was an act of an individual police officer and NOT the Uganda Police Force as an institution.”
