Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | The Buganda Road Grade One Magistrate’s Court has ordered the detention of three individuals at Luzira Prison on charges related to aggravated robbery against a Chinese businessman.
The suspects, all aged 18, identified as Jonathan Semanda, self-employed, Joram Mwebesa (also known as Epu or Joram Nasasira), unemployed and Ashraf Nsiko, a boda boda rider, were brought before Grade One Magistrate Sienna Owomugisha, who formally presented the charges against them.
According to court proceedings, on November 15th, 2023, in the vicinity of Sezibwa Road near Fang Fang Hotel in Kampala Central Division, the suspects allegedly carried out a robbery targeting a Chinese businessman named He Wei. During the incident, the perpetrators reportedly used a machete, inflicting serious injuries on He Wei, and made away with a Black Bag containing US$190,000 (equivalent to Shillings 721 million).
Magistrate Owomugisha cautioned the accused against entering a plea, citing the court’s lack of jurisdiction to handle cases involving aggravated robbery, a capital offense. Senior State Prosecutor Martin Nambafu informed the Court about ongoing investigations and requested the remand of the accused until December 18th, 2023, to conclude the inquiry process.
Despite their physical appearance suggesting they were minors, the prosecution clarified that all three accused individuals are 18 years old. Authorities continue to conduct investigations while issuing cautionary advice, particularly to foreigners, against carrying significant amounts of money without adequate security.
Also Read: Chinese national robbed Shs 200m by boda boda gang in Kampala
This incident comes in the wake of a similar robbery involving a Chinese national, Lee Shao, who had 200 million shillings stolen on Wilson Road. Despite Shao’s attempts to defend himself by firing at the assailants, they managed to escape.
The recent incident recalls a tragic event from September involving the late Ito Okira, a Japanese national who lost his life in a robbery in Kampala. Okira’s assailants are facing charges, including murder, and are currently remanded at Luzira Maximum Prison.
