Police in eastern Uganda have arrested a local council chairperson in connection with the theft of eight desktop computers from a government secondary school in Namisindwa District.
Rogers Haluma, the chairperson of Bumwango Village and a part-time night guard at Namboko Seed Secondary School, was taken into custody along with Martin Wanyakala, an alleged accomplice. A third suspect is still on the run.
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According to authorities, the theft occurred in the early hours of 29 July 2025. Haluma reportedly left his night duty station around midnight to check on his wife, who lives nearby. Upon returning three hours later, he claimed to have found the school’s computer lab broken into.
Speaking to reporters, Elgon Region Police spokesperson Rogers Taitika said Haluma reported the alleged break-in to the sub-county LC3 chairperson, who in turn alerted school authorities. A case was filed at Bubutu Police Post, prompting investigators to deploy a canine unit from Mbale.
“The sniffer dog led officers directly to Haluma’s residence,” said Mr Taitika. “A search of the surrounding area uncovered key evidence, including discarded computer cables, pliers, and cloth covers just a short distance from the lab.”
Police say initial findings suggest the incident was likely an inside job. There were no signs of forced entry at the lab’s main entrance, which remained securely locked, raising suspicions that the suspects may have used a key to access the room. Investigators believe the perpetrators exited through a back door found ajar.
Out of the 20 desktop computers stored in the lab, eight were taken. Officers say the suspects appeared to have used tools—believed to be the pliers found near the scene—to cut power cables before removing the devices.
Although the school compound has CCTV cameras installed, none were functioning at the time due to a power outage, depriving police of crucial surveillance footage.
Both Haluma and Wanyakala remain in custody at Bubutu Police Post. Security forces are continuing their efforts to apprehend the third suspect and recover the stolen equipment.
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