Joshua Nahamya
20 February 2025
Kiruhura – Police in Kiruhura district are investigating circumstances under which 13.3 tons of coffee worth Shs 229mln was stolen.
According to SP Samson Kasasira, police publicist Rwizi region, the stolen coffee was hijacked on transit from Ibanda through Kiruhura while on its way to Namanve Kampala for export.
“It’s alleged that on February 11, 2025, a motor vehicle registration number UAW 505Y was dispatched from Olam Uganda Limited Company Ibanda branch carrying fairly average quality coffee equivalent to 13.3 tons belong to one David Twebaze and also being escorted by one Isaac Twesiime destined to Namanve Kampala. When the motor vehicle bypassed Rushere Town Council, the manager Ibanda branch stopped receiving any updates on the movement of the cargo because both the driver and the escort’s phones couldn’t be reached,” he noted
According to Kasasira, this worried the manager and on January 12, 2025, the coffee manager reported the matter to Rushere Police Station shortly after getting information from the escort that the vehicle had been hijacked by some suspected thugs who disguised as traffic police officers.
“They were three suspected traffic Police Officers and two FFU Officers both armed with guns on Kaguta Road junction who arrested the two coffee dealers, beat them and put them in a Toyota Wish whose registration number is not yet known, drove them, and abandoned them at Buloba in papyrus swamp in a critical condition,” he explained.
Kasasira said that Police in Kiruhura liaised with the Police in Lyantonde and tracked the motor vehicle that was recovered abandoned in Kamazzi Katovu in Lwengo district along the road but with no coffee load.
“It was discovered that the coffee was offloaded and loaded onto another vehicle that is yet to be identified around areas of Kigaaga Village in Katovu,” he said
Kasasira said that the driver and his escort were also discovered brutally beaten with physical body injuries and were transferred from Buloba to Rushere for treatment meanwhile as they helped police with investigations.
Kasasira described the incident as unfortunate but still appealed to traders in transit to always hire competent security officers to provide them with security while transporting their goods and products for the market.
“Although such cases are not common in the Ankole region traders should understand that coffee is now highly targeted as the most expensive cash crop on the market so why don’t you hire police officers to provide you with security while on the road” This should be a lesson to the rest of the traders on transit.” He noted
In another development, Police in the Isingiro district are investigating circumstances under which a security guard foiled the theft of the SACCO although he sustained injuries during the scuffle.
Kasasira told this reporter that a case was reported by police last night whereby two unidentified people intended to kill the security guard identified as Nickson Rugankira.
“They attempted to steal money from Nyamuyanja Sub County SACCO located in Isingiro district but the deal was failed by a security guard in the night,”
He said that the victim was armed with a SAR rifle No. UG PSO 56S- 4101364-14311 with 04rds of ammunition was deployed By Link Security Company to guard Nyamuyanja Sub County SACCO found at Burara trading center in Nyakigyera.
“In the fateful night of February 13, 2025, while Rugakingira was guarding the SACCO, he saw two people moving suspiciously within the premises of the SACCO. Upon seeing him, they ran away and this prompted Rugankira to walk behind to be able to see what these people were doing,” Kasasira said
While going behind, Kasasira revealed that Rugankira was grabbed by two men who had hidden behind the neighboring shop.
“During the scuffle, the security guard shot his leg and the thugs fled away with none of the SACCO property or money stolen,” he said
During the investigations, police confirmed that the group had broken into the neighboring shop to the SACCO, where they stole a mobile phone.
“At the SACCO no property or money was stolen but it was realized that the group had broken into the shop where they stole a mobile phone. Police swung into action and two suspects were arrested to help with the investigations,” he noted
Kasasira appealed to the SACCO leaders to intensify security to guarantee safety precautions for the members’ savings. “The injured guard is receiving treatment and inquiries are still on-going.” He said
