Sipapa, wife remanded over aggravated robbery

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Makindye Magistrates Court has remanded businessman Charles Olim commonly known as Sipapa to Luzira prison.

Sipapa was charged with six counts of aggravated robbery, alongside his wife Shamirah Nakiyemba a designer. They were arraigned on Friday before Grade One Magistrate Patience Lorna Tukundane.

The court heard that Sipapa and Nakiyemba and others still at large during the night of August 29th, 2022 at Bunga Kawuku Makindye Division in Kampala District robbed six South Sudan nationals of different items and cash.

One of the victims Jacob Arok Mul was robbed of 429,000 United States Dollars, (1.6 billion shillings), two mobile phones, an iPhone silver blue in color valued at 3,200 United States Dollars, a Samsung, and a Flat Screen TV 75 inches valued at 4,000 United States Dollars.

It is alleged that on the same night, they robbed Mary Ateng an iPhone 12 Pro Max Gold in Color valued at 5 million shillings, a Golden belt, and a Golden Chain both valued at 10,000 United States Dollars (38 million shillings) and two gold rings valued at 500 United States Dollars.

The prosecution further alleges that the couple and others still at large robbed Chol Ateng of an iPhone 11 Pro Dark Green in color valued at 800,000 shillings, a Dell laptop, a charger valued at 1,000 USD, and 500,000 cash. The suspects further went ahead and robbed Deng Arok of an Apple Macbook Air Laptop valued at 5 million shillings and an iPhone valued at 5 million shillings.

At the home of another victim Abig Yar, Sipapa and his wife allegedly stole a laptop and an iPhone all valued at 5 million shillings. They also robbed James Manyok of 400,000 shillings.

According to the charges, immediately or after the robbery Sipapa and his wife reportedly used a substance that made all their victims unconscious which made it easier for them to execute their crimes successfully.

State Attorney Eunice Akullo told the court that investigations into this case are still ongoing. They were remanded to Luzira prison until September 19.

Sipapa was arrested on Wednesday and has been in custody. The Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga on Monday told journalists that they recently conducted a search at Sipapa’s home and most of the items which place them at the scene of the crime were recovered.

Sipapa has been causing chaos on roads by stopping in the middle or at busy junctions in order to distribute money to crowds. Before and after the contested 2021 presidential elections, Sipapa several times went to NUP offices in Kamwokya and caused chaos by shooting in the air or even at the gate.

At the time of provoking NUP, Sipapa was having military guards. They were however withdrawn early this year after he knocked a driver and threatened to shoot him.

The IGP Martin Ochola ordered his arrest and impounding of his vehicle. However, the IGP’s order were not effected until the robbery at Arok’s home.

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