Kampala, Uganda
Four suspects have been arraigned before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court in Kampala over the alleged theft of seven laptops belonging to the Bank of Uganda (BoU) valued at approximately Shs35.4 million.
The suspects, who appeared in court denied all charges and were remanded to Luzira Prison until May 29, 2026, as investigations continue.
The accused identified as Boaz Kule Michael, 19, a casual worker from Makindye, Kabuye Ramadhan, a bus conductor, Isaac Rubangakene, a mobile phone accessories dealer, Jorem Jude Oedo, 43, a computer technician working on buses and resident of Kyengera.
According to prosecution authorities, Kule and Kabuye are accused of allegedly breaking into the Bank of Uganda premises located along Kampala Road on May 3, 2026, and stealing seven laptops.
Rubangakene and Oedo are separately accused of allegedly receiving and retaining the stolen electronic devices.
Court documents presented before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court allege that the theft occurred during a break-in at Uganda’s Central Bank headquarters earlier this month.
Investigators say the stolen laptops belonged to the Bank of Uganda and were collectively valued at Shs35.4 million.
Police have so far recovered six of the seven stolen laptops as part of ongoing investigations.
The four suspects appeared before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court where they were formally charged.
They denied the allegations against them.
The court subsequently remanded all four accused persons to Luzira Prison until May 29, 2026, when the matter is expected to return for further proceedings.
Bank of Uganda serves as the country’s central financial institution responsible for monetary policy, currency management, banking supervision and national financial stability.
A reported theft involving equipment from the institution has drawn public attention because of the high-security nature of central bank operations.
While authorities have not indicated whether sensitive financial information was compromised, cybersecurity and institutional security experts often emphasize the importance of protecting government and financial systems from both physical and digital breaches.
Police investigators are continuing efforts to recover the remaining missing laptop and establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged theft.
The law provides criminal penalties for theft, burglary, and possession of suspected stolen property upon conviction.
This case also highlights growing concerns over theft and resale of electronic devices in Kampala and other urban centers, where stolen laptops, mobile phones, and computer equipment are often trafficked through informal markets.
Law enforcement agencies have in recent years increased operations targeting dealers suspected of handling stolen electronics.
The suspects will remain on remand pending further court proceedings scheduled for May 29, 2026.
Prosecutors are expected to continue presenting evidence as investigations proceed.
Meanwhile, police say efforts to recover the seventh missing laptop and identification of any additional suspects connected to the case remain ongoing.
