Makindye, Uganda – A Senior Police Officer (SP) Begira Avido, a human resources official stationed in the Wamala police region, has been remanded to prison following serious charges of theft involving building materials valued at over UGX 17 million.
The Anti-Corruption Unit of State House, working in close collaboration with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), presented Avido before the Makindye Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday evening, marking another bold step in the government’s ongoing war against corruption even within the ranks of law enforcement.
According to official court documents and sources within the Anti-Corruption Unit, the incident dates back to February 10, 2023, in Kanaaba Zone, Makindye Ssabagabo, Wakiso District, where SP Begira is alleged to have stolen construction materials from a private citizen identified as Kato Bumali.
The stolen items reportedly included iron sheets, wooden poles, and multiple bags of cement, all meant for building a family home. The estimated value of the stolen property is UGX 17 million, a significant loss to the victim and a disturbing breach of public trust.
What shocked many even more is that SP Begira allegedly ignored multiple internal summons issued by his superiors to explain the allegations. His refusal to cooperate with the Uganda Police Force’s internal disciplinary mechanisms is said to have triggered a full-blown investigation, culminating in his arrest and prosecution.
“No one is above the law, not even officers sworn to uphold it.”
Appearing somber in the dock, SP Begira was read the charges in a packed courtroom presided over by a Makindye Magistrate. He did not take a plea, and the magistrate ordered that he be remanded until June 19, 2025, as investigations continue and the court prepares for the next hearing.
Meanwhile, legal analysts have welcomed the swift action, calling it a necessary precedent in deterring impunity within the security forces.
The incident has raised serious questions about accountability and integrity within the Uganda Police Force, particularly at a time when public trust in institutions remains fragile.
“When senior officers start stealing from the people they’re meant to protect, it’s not just a legal issue, it’s a crisis of morality and institutional decay.”
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