KAMPALA, UGANDA: Police has finally arrested socialite Sipapa real names Charles Olimu on allegations of aggravated robbery of shs 1.6 billion from the home of a South Sudanese national in Bunga, Wakiso District.
The development comes barely a day after police spokesperson, SCP Fred Enanga on Monday urged the public to volunteer information leading to the arrest of the elusive socialite over the robbery.
In a Tuesday police statement, Enanga confirmed the arrest of Sipapa and arrangements were by press time underway to hand him over to the Crime Investigations Department for further investigations.
“We wish to inform the public that the Directorate of Crime Intelligence has arrested a one Olimu Charles Sipapa, who was on the police wanted list, for an alleged aggravated robbery which occurred at the home of Jacob Arok, in Kawuku-Bunga on the night of August 28, 2022,” Enanga said.
The Robbery Incident
On the fateful night, a group of thugs are said to have broken into Arok’s home after applying suspected chloroform on the occupants who were asleep.
The thugs ransacked the home and robbed cash amounting to $429,000 (about Shs1.6 billion), four iPhones, two Apple laptops, a DELL laptop, gold Jewelry for his wife and a 65-inch Samsung TV set, among others, according to police.
How Stolen iPhone exposed Sipapa in the Robbery Incident
While addressing journalists on Monday, Enanga explained that during the subsequent investigations, detectives tracked down an iCloud signal from one of the stolen iPhones that led them to the socialite’s home at Kityo close, Buwate in Kira Division.
“They interviewed the occupants who told them that the home belonged to Sipapa, who was not at home. He had travelled to Tororo [District in eastern Uganda]. A thorough search was conducted in the home in the presence of Shamira Nakiyimba, the wife to Sipapa and exhibits of evidential material, allegedly stolen from the home of Arok recovered. They include; $70,000 (about Shs267 million), four iPhones, three laptops, gold jewelry, an iPhone charger and a mac pro charger.”
“Also recovered were two registration number plates, UBG 025B and UBA 023U. In addition, an assortment of car accessories were recovered. They include two amplifiers, six tool boxes, four sports vims, a rear car seat, 12 headlights, indicators, jeep bumper, V8 bumper, V8 rear boot doors, bonnet, three radiators, four inner door shutters, V8 rear boot doors and seven grills. Two cars; a jeep and Audi, without registration plates had been resprayed with a red colour and found in the compound,” Mr Enanga added.
Sipapa’s arrest now brings the number of suspects in police custody to five after his wife and three other suspects were picked on Monday.
“The police leadership has commended the tireless efforts of the CID and CI task teams in arresting and helping to bring the suspect to justice,” Mr Enanga tweeted on Tuesday.
Sipapa’s Previous Woes
This is not the first time Sipapa, an ardent supporter of President Museveni and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has a criminal case registered or reported against him.
On September 17, 2022, police in Kampala fired teargas and arrested at least 20 supporters of the Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) for allegedly holding a procession demanding the arrest of the socialite notorious for distributing money without a clear backing source.
This followed two shooting incidents (August 30 and September 15) 2020 at NUP offices in Kamwokya, a Kampala suburb in which the socialite and his bouncers were involved.
In March this year, some Ugandans took to social media to vent their resentment for the socialite over his alleged impunity. This was due to the socialite’s alleged continuous violation of traffic rules under the watch and protection of security operatives, according to netizens.
He was accused of driving a numberless vehicle guarded by armed security operatives.
The Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Patrick Onyango then said Sipapa had been summoned for questioning.
However, he has never been arrested nor prosecuted in court
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