SSP Lameck Kigozi
Police in Kassanda District have arrested three factory workers in connection with the alleged theft of equipment valued at Shs21.3 million from a Chinese-owned plywood factory.
The incident occurred at Musana Plywood Factory, located in Lubumba LC1, Myanzi Parish, Myanzi Sub-county, Kassanda District.
According to police, on the night of July 8, 2026, unknown individuals allegedly broke into the factory store and stole several items, including water pumps, a grinding machine, a drilling machine, a compressor, and other equipment. The stolen property was valued at Shs21,300,000.
Wamala Regional Police spokesperson Lameck Kigozi said the factory manager reported the case at Kassanda Police Station, prompting officers to visit the scene and deploy a police canine unit to track the suspects.
”The canine was introduced to the scene and led police officers towards Katooke Village in Kassanda. Along the way, some of the stolen items, which had been abandoned, were recovered. Although the dog later lost the trail, intelligence operations remained active,” Kigozi said.
Through intelligence-led investigations, police arrested two factory workers, Charles Opio and George Atuhaire, to assist with investigations.
Kigozi said the two suspects allegedly confessed during interrogation, admitting to breaking into the store and revealing that they acted with three other accomplices, making a total of five suspects.
”They further disclosed that the stolen items were taken to the home of a man only identified as Musilamu in Katooke Village,” Kigozi added.
Police later arrested another suspect, identified only as Ramer, who was also employed at the factory.
Investigators established that George Atuhaire and Ramer were active employees at the factory at the time of the alleged theft, while Charles Opio and the two suspects still at large were former employees.
Police say all the stolen equipment has since been recovered, while efforts are underway to arrest the remaining two suspects.
”Efforts are being made to apprehend the remaining two suspects who are still at large. All the stolen exhibits have been recovered,” Kigozi said.
The three suspects are expected to be arraigned in court on charges of store breaking and theft.
Kigozi also urged employees working for investors to refrain from criminal activities, warning that theft not only attracts legal consequences but could also discourage investment in the region.
”We appeal to people employed by investors in the region to resist the temptation of stealing. Such acts not only attract penal sanctions but may also discourage potential investors from coming to the region,” he said.
Meanwhile Police in Mityana District have arrested seven suspects in connection with the alleged theft of coffee from farmers in Bulera Sub-county.
The suspects have been identified as Bernard Lubowa, 30, a resident of Kiwujja Village, and Edward Kizito, 28, a resident of Kibogo Village, both in Bulera Sub-county. Police said Kizito was found in possession of coffee suspected to have been stolen.
The other suspects are Abdul Ssemakula, 58, Vincent Malunda, 20, Stephen Kakooza, 21, Aidah Nakigozi, 58, and Edwin Kibirige, 19, all residents of Bulera Sub-county.
According to police, the arrests followed a complaint after coffee was allegedly stolen from the home of John Ssemugomba, 62, a resident of Kiwujja Buyambi LC1, Nalumbugu Parish, Bulera Sub-county in Mityana District.
Police said the case file for the seven suspects has been processed and forwarded to the Resident State Attorney in Mityana, who sanctioned charges against them.
Authorities added that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other suspects still at large and to intensify operations aimed at curbing the growing vice of coffee theft in Mityana District and the wider Wamala Region.
