On 24 August 2024, a robbery occurred in Kalisizo, where armed robbers stole 150 million shillings from Pulinali Semanda, a 53-year-old businessman and owner of Zavuga Coffee Investments.
Semanda was ambushed at his home after withdrawing the cash from Centenary Bank in Kyotera, intended for paying workers and coffee suppliers.
Following an extensive investigation, the police spokesman, Rusoke Kituuma, said police apprehended a key suspect, Mwanje Gerald, also known as Kigere Muzeyi, on September 6, 2024, in Kalisizo town.
Kituuma said Mwanje confessed to his involvement in the robbery and was identified on CCTV footage as the individual who took the bag from Semanda’s car while his accomplice, Joseph Kagimu (alias Bruno), held the victim at gunpoint with an AK-47 rifle. Another suspect, Alex Lule (alias Dodo), was responsible for transporting them to and from the scene, while Alex Nabbimba, their witch doctor, was tasked with surveillance to alert them of any security presence.
Additionally, police arrested Senteza Fred, a 25-year-old boda boda rider and brother to Mwanje, who was sent by Bruno to retrieve his car from a washing bay after sensing police activity. He is currently assisting authorities in locating other suspects still at large.
After the robbery, the suspects purchased vehicles, which were subsequently impounded by the police.
