Police Recover Stolen Coffee Worth Shs470m in Matugga Operation
Police in Kawempe have recovered 218 bags of stolen coffee valued at Shs470 million in Sanga Matugga, Wakiso District, as part of an investigation into a case of goods stolen in transit.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango revealed that the operation on January 16 followed a months-long probe into the theft of 21,600 kilogrammes of coffee beans.
The beans, intended for export, were diverted from their route between Kasese and an Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Nakawa.
“The truck carrying the coffee, registration number UBE 355V, was diverted from Kawempe-Bwaise," Onyango said.
"The coffee was offloaded and transported to Luzira before being collected by a suspect identified as Juma Musisi, also known as Young Mandela."
Five suspects have been arrested and charged with stealing goods in transit, while others, including Musisi, remain at large.
Musisi had earlier been arraigned before Nabweru Chief Magistrates Court but escaped custody before being released on bail.
The recovered coffee, linked to Agrievorve Uganda Limited, owned by complainant Jonathan Rouland, was found in a garage rented by the suspects at the home of Bukenya Steven in Sanga Matugga.
Bukenya’s wife, Mariam Nankinga, confirmed that the garage was rented in December 2024 for Shs200,000 per month.
"The coffee was exhibited and transported to Kawempe Police Station, where it is being guarded as we await advice from the State Attorney on the next course of action," Onyango said.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects, including Asiimwe Allan, Kato Kiggundu, Joab Mucunguzi, and Saidi Kasule, alias Bogere.
Coffee has become gold, with an upsurge is cases of theft reported not only in farms where ripe berries are being stolen but also on the export route.