A senior Ugandan police officer has been remanded to prison over accusations of stealing building materials valued at more than Shs 16 million.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Avito Begira, currently serving in the Wamala policing region as a human resource officer, was arraigned before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court on a charge of theft. He pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on February 10, 2023, at Kanaaba Zone in Makindye Ssabagabo, Wakiso district. Begira is accused of unlawfully taking 380 iron sheets, 250 poles, 15 bags of cement, a metallic gate, 20 kilograms of nails, two spades, two hammers, and two pit saws property valued at approximately Shs 16.6 million. The items are said to have belonged to a man identified as Kato Bumali.
Begira was arrested by fellow police personnel working alongside investigators from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, under the leadership of Brigadier Henry Isoke.
Investigators allege that the theft is linked to an ongoing land dispute between Begira and Bumali in the Ndejje area. Bumali reportedly delivered the materials to the contested plot for construction purposes. It is further claimed that Begira, with the help of hired individuals and some police officers, orchestrated the removal of the items from the site without lawful authority.
The Anti-Corruption Unit stated that Begira had repeatedly ignored official summons to provide a response to the allegations against him, prompting his eventual arrest and arraignment.
Grade One Magistrate Igga Adiru remanded Begira to Luzira Prison until June 19, 2025, pending further investigations.