KAMPALA, UGANDA —A Ugandan banking agent and five others have been remanded in custody over allegations of stealing over 1 billion Ugandan shillings ($260,000) from Centenary Bank.
Simei Rutinampola, a resident of Namulanda Cell in Kajansi town council, Wakiso district, appeared before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiko on Friday.
According to the prosecution, Rutinampola received 100m Ugandan shillings into an account registered under Zarail Enterprises Limited on August 1, 2024, at Mapeera Centenary bank’s main branch in Kampala, knowing or having reason to believe they were stolen.
Rutinampola denied the charges and is on trial alongside five others who have already been remanded by the same court for their alleged involvement.
The co-accused include Newton Ayesiga, a businessman and resident of Bbuto village in Kira Municipality, Wakiso district; Idris Kasozi, a banking agent from Kanyanya, Mpererwe, Kawempe division; Shafiq Mugulo, a businessman from Salama Kigaga, Makindye in Wakiso district; Fred Byabasaija, an electrician; and Farouk Kiyemba, a self-employed resident of Wobulenzi town council in Luwero district.
Prosecutors allege that:
- Ayesiga received 250m Ugandan shillings through an account registered under the name Benjamin.
- Kasozi allegedly received 350m Ugandan shillings through an account registered as Hajarah Mulindwa Enterprises.
- Mugulo reportedly received 100m Ugandan shillings via an account registered as Riverside Forex Bureau.
- Byabasaija is accused of receiving 200m Ugandan shillings through an account registered as Bold Balik Solutions.
- Kiyemba allegedly received 100m Ugandan shillings via Riverside Forex Bureau.
State Attorney Allan Mucunguzi informed the court that investigations are ongoing.
Rutinampola and his co-accused were remanded until October 23.
In a related case, Patrick Senabulya, a resident of Najjera in Kira Municipality, Wakiso district, was also remanded by the same court for theft, accused of stealing 10m Ugandan shillings from Diamond Trust Bank between September 24 and October 1.
The cases have sparked concerns over the security of Uganda’s financial systems.
