A security guard in Igorora town council, Ibanda South County, Ibanda district, learned the consequences of neglecting duty the hard way when he was arrested and charged with shop breaking and theft. Wilbroad Nuwagaba, 28, was supposed to be guarding a betting parlour on the night of December 31, 2023, but his absence led to the breaking and theft incident.
The betting parlour incurred a loss of shillings 564,800 in stolen cash, and the thieves also destroyed betting equipment. The security firm slapped Nuwagaba with two charges, emphasizing the financial impact of his unofficial absence. The destruction of slot machines alone would cost up to shillings 2.5 million to repair, making the total loss amount to 3.06 million.
Appearing before Ibanda Grade One Magistrate Esther Murungi on January 9, 2024, Nuwagaba denied both charges. Supervisor Shallom Akampobusingye, the first prosecution witness, informed the court that she personally informed the accused about the theft at 8:00 am the following day after receiving a call from a neighbor at 7:51 am reporting the open door of the betting house.
Akampobusingye detailed the theft, revealing that three safes of the betting machines were broken, with the stolen safes containing sh564,800. She expressed the desire for Nuwagaba to be held responsible for repaying the lost money and covering the repair costs of the damaged slot machines.
The court granted Nuwagaba’s prayer for bail, bonding him at shillings three million, with his two sureties also bonded at the same amount. Magistrate Murungi emphasized the responsibility of the sureties to ensure the accused’s appearance in court, warning of severe consequences if Nuwagaba were to disappear.
The case hearing was adjourned to January 16 for further proceedings regarding the prosecution’s case.
