Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Rophine Achayo has remanded five police officers and three private security guards over their alleged involvement in the break-in at the Bank of Uganda headquarters.
The suspects were charged with neglect of duty to prevent a felony and were subsequently remanded to Luzira Prison pending further investigations.
The accused include Sergeant Joseph Amone, Police Constable Wilson Ouma, Police Constable Thomas Omach, Police Constable Shafic Mungusho, and Police Constable Brian Oryono. All are attached to the Directorate of Counter Terrorism Tactical Unit and are residents of Naguru Police Barracks in Nakawa Division.
Also charged are Alex Onduri and Solomon Orache, both security guards employed by Ultimate Security Limited and residents of Nsambya Zone in Makindye Division, as well as Morish Ocen, a security guard attached to Saracen Uganda Limited.
Investigators say the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday when unknown individuals reportedly exploited internal security weaknesses to gain access to the Bank of Uganda’s commercial offices. Several laptops and other sensitive equipment were stolen during the break-in.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects accessed the premises through a gate near City Square and remained inside the building for nearly three hours. During this time, they reportedly moved through multiple sections of the facility before escaping with at least seven laptops.
Authorities believe the group may have used duplicated keys to gain entry without forcing access, a development that has raised suspicions of possible insider involvement, including staff or contracted security personnel.
During the operation, the intruders are also said to have disabled internet connectivity and interfered with surveillance systems, severely limiting real time monitoring within the premises.
Sources close to the investigation revealed that key security infrastructure was also targeted. This included the alleged theft of a CCTV server and an internet router valued at approximately Shs50 million.
Although attempts to access the bank’s cash reserves were unsuccessful, investigators say the sophistication of the operation has raised serious concerns about internal security lapses.
Further analysis of recovered surveillance footage reportedly shows about five individuals moving through restricted areas of the building. Portions of the CCTV system were vandalised during the incident, though some recordings were successfully retrieved and are now central to the ongoing investigation.
Police say inquiries are still ongoing to establish the full extent of involvement, including whether any insiders facilitated access or aided in the execution of the break-in.
The case has since drawn significant public attention, given the sensitivity of the central bank and the implications for national financial security. Authorities have pledged to tighten internal security systems as investigations continue.
