The police have arrested Justin Akena, a private security guard and prime suspect in the theft of cash and gold from a client he was assigned to protect.
Akena, attached to Magnum Security Company, was arrested in Bweyale in connection with the alleged theft of Shs 29 million and 900 grammes of gold valued at about Shs 500 million.
The suspect had been deployed at Goldex Uganda Limited on Mawanda road in Kamwokya, where he allegedly broke into a vehicle belonging to Maggie Katuramu and stole a bag containing the money over the weekend.
Initial reports from Kira Road Police Division had indicated that Shs 290 million had been stolen. However, Kampala Metropolitan deputy police spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, said the figure was erroneous.
“The actual amount stolen was Shs 29 million. The earlier figure of Shs 290 million was a mistake,” Owoyesigyire said. “We arrested the suspect in Gaspa village, Bweyale. He admitted to the offence and had used part of the money to open a retail shop, where he was found.”
Owoyesigyire said the suspect is currently in custody at Mawanda road police station as investigations continue and preparations for prosecution are underway. The incident adds to a growing number of robbery cases involving private security guards.
In many instances, suspects are traced through records of guarantors provided during recruitment, although some manage to evade arrest. In November 2024, two guards attached to G4S were arrested for their role in the theft of more than Shs 1 billion from a bullion van along Entebbe road.
The suspects abandoned the vehicle in Lungujja before being tracked down and arrested in Kwania District. In a separate case, Abraham Opedun, a guard with Safetec Security Company Ltd, was implicated in the arson and theft at Snail Forex Bureau Limited in Kampala.
