Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s court has remanded Simei Rutinampola, a banking agent, on charges of stealing over Shs 100 million from Centenary bank.
Rutinampola, a resident of Namulanda Cell in Kajansi town council, Wakiso district, appeared before Grade One magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiko on Friday and was formally charged.
The court heard that on August 1, 2024, at Mapeera Centenary bank’s main branch in Kampala, Rutinampola received Shs 100 million into an account registered under Zarail Enterprises Limited, knowing or having reason to believe that the funds had been stolen.
Rutinampola, who denied the charges, is on trial alongside five others who have already been remanded by the same court for their alleged involvement in receiving over Shs 1 billion via various mobile money agent accounts, each of them receiving specific amounts.
His co-accused include Newton Ayesiga, a businessman and resident of Bbuto village in Kira Municipality, Wakiso district, Idris Kasozi, a banking agent from Kanyanya, Mpererwe, Kawempe division; Shafiq Mugulo, a businessman from Salama Kigaga, Makindye in Wakiso district, Fred Byabasaija, an electrician, and Farouk Kiyemba, a self-employed resident of Wobulenzi town council in Luwero district.
According to the prosecution, Ayesiga received Shs 250 million, a property of Centenary bank, through an account registered under the name Benjamin. Kasozi allegedly received Shs 350 million through an account registered as Hajarah Mulindwa Enterprises, while Mugulo reportedly received Shs 100 million via an account registered as Riverside Forex Bureau.
Byabasaija is accused of receiving Shs 200 million through an account registered as Bold Balik Solutions, and Kiyemba allegedly received Shs 100 million via Riverside Forex Bureau.
State Attorney Allan Mucunguzi informed the court that investigations are ongoing. Rutinampola was remanded until October 23, when he will return to court along with his co-accused, who remain in custody.
In a related case, the same court also remanded Patrick Senabulya, a resident of Najjera in Kira Municipality, Wakiso district, for theft. Senabulya is accused of stealing Shs 10 million from Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) between September 24 and October 1.
