Man Steals UGX 200 Million from Grandmother, Gives UGX 100 Million to Witchdoctor for ‘Cleansing’

Police have recovered more than UGX 54 million believed to be part of UGX 200 million allegedly stolen from a woman in Lugazi and arrested four suspects, including a traditional healer, as investigations into the theft continue.

The operation was carried out by officers from Yesu Amala Police Station in Nansana after intelligence reports indicated that two men were moving around Nansana Heights Building in Ochieng One Zone with a bag suspected to contain a large amount of cash.

Acting on the information, police tracked down and arrested the two suspects, who were found carrying UGX 35,611,500. During questioning, the pair allegedly told investigators that the money had been entrusted to them by an associate identified as Kafeero Ramathan.

The suspects later led detectives to Standard Rose Site Guest House, where Kafeero was arrested. Preliminary investigations indicate that he is suspected of stealing UGX 200 million from his grandmother at her home in Lugazi.

Police contacted the complainant and confirmed that a theft case had already been reported and registered at Lugazi Police Station.

A search of Kafeero’s room at the guest house led to the recovery of an additional UGX 18.9 million, bringing the total cash recovered to more than UGX 54.5 million. Officers also seized four brand-new smartphones, a laptop and several newly purchased household items believed to have been bought using the suspected stolen money.

During further interrogation, Kafeero allegedly told investigators that he had given UGX 100 million to a traditional healer identified as Salongo Kato Nsobya of Kavumba in Wakiso District to perform a ritual intended to “cleanse” the stolen money.

Police later arrested the traditional healer and searched his residence. Although investigators did not recover the alleged UGX 100 million, they found UGX 120,000 in cash and a goat, which police believe had been bought for use in the purported cleansing ritual.

All four suspects remain in police custody, while the recovered cash and other exhibits have been secured as evidence.

Police said both the suspects and the recovered items are being transferred to Lugazi Police Station to aid ongoing investigations into the alleged theft.

Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson ASP Luke Owoyesigyire confirmed the arrests and said investigations are continuing.