Kampala, Uganda: Kampala Metropolitan Police have moved to dispel misinformation surrounding a viral robbery confession video circulating on social media, clarifying that the woman featured in the footage was arrested years ago, prosecuted, convicted, and is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence.
The video, which has resurfaced on various social media platforms, including X, shows a woman narrating how she and a gang allegedly targeted and robbed victims in Kampala.
In a statement issued on Monday evening, Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Public Relations Officer ASP Luke Owoyesigyire identified the woman as Nabulime Stella, who was arrested by Kabalagala Police in January 2019 in connection with an aggravated robbery case registered under Kabalagala CRB 1449/2018.
“Kampala Metropolitan Police would like to clarify that the video circulating on social media, shared on different X platforms, is not a recent incident,” Owoyesigyire said.
“The lady appearing in the video is Nabulime Stella, who was arrested by Kabalagala Police in January 2019 in connection with an aggravated robbery case registered under Kabalagala CRB 1449/2018. In the video, she is seen narrating her involvement in robberies targeting several victims.”
According to police investigations, the case that led to Nabulime’s arrest stemmed from a robbery committed during the 2018 Christmas holiday season.
Owoyesigyire asserted that on December 26, 2018, a Ugandan man who had returned from abroad for the festive season was targeted after meeting Nabulime and her associates at Auto Spa in Munyonyo.
Investigators say Nabulime convinced the victim to accompany her to her residence in Munyonyo-Mulungo after spending time together.
Unbeknownst to the victim, police say the journey had been carefully planned by a criminal gang.
According to investigators, one of the accomplices posed as an Uber driver while other gang members lay in wait along the route.
“After successfully spending time together, the suspect convinced the victim to accompany her to her residence in Munyonyo-Mulungo and arranged for one of her accomplices to pose as an Uber driver,” Owoyesigyire said.
“While travelling to the residence, they were intercepted by other members of the criminal gang who robbed the victim of a bag containing an iPhone, Samsung X5 phone, Apple iPad, charger, perfume, cash and other valuables worth approximately USD 3,000.”
Police said the victim put up resistance and managed to disperse the attackers using pepper spray, a move that later aided investigators in piecing together the events of the robbery.
The case triggered extensive investigations by detectives attached to Kabalagala Police Division, leading to the arrest of Nabulime Stella and three alleged accomplices identified as Ojambo Isma, Munifudi Ibrahim, and Mayanja Baker.
Authorities also recovered most of the stolen property during the operation. “Through thorough investigations, the police arrested Nabulime Stella and her accomplices, namely Ojambo Isma, Munifudi Ibrahim, and Mayanja Baker. The stolen exhibits, except the cash, were recovered,” Owoyesigyire noted.
Court records show that on January 23, 2019, the four suspects were arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court at Makindye under Criminal Case No. MK/CR/005/2019 before being committed to the High Court for trial.
After years of court proceedings, the High Court in Kampala convicted all four accused persons in 2023 and sentenced them to 15 years’ imprisonment for aggravated robbery.
“In 2023, the High Court in Kampala convicted all four accused persons and sentenced them to 15 years’ imprisonment,” Owoyesigyire said. “This case was thoroughly investigated, successfully prosecuted, and concluded with the conviction of all the suspects.”
The police clarification comes amid growing concern over the spread of misleading and recycled content online, where old videos are frequently recirculated without context, creating the impression that incidents are recent.
Kampala Metropolitan Police urged the public to verify information before sharing it online. “Members of the public should verify information shared on social media and avoid treating old videos as recent incidents,” Owoyesigyire advised.
The case remains one of the notable robbery prosecutions handled by Kampala Metropolitan Police, highlighting the use of social engineering tactics by criminal gangs who lure unsuspecting victims before coordinating attacks.
Police say the successful conviction of the suspects demonstrates the importance of thorough investigations, public cooperation, and sustained prosecution in combating organised urban crime.
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