Three Factory Workers Arrested Over Shs21.3 Million Store Break-In in Kassanda

Police have arrested three current and former employees of Musana Plywood Factory in Kassanda District over the alleged theft of equipment worth Shs21.3 million. All the stolen property has been recovered, while efforts to arrest two remaining suspects are ongoing.

Three suspects have been arrested in connection with a store breaking and theft at Musana Plywood Factory in Myanzi Sub-county, Kassanda District.

According to police, unknown persons broke into a store at the Chinese-owned Musana Plywood Factory in Lubumba LC1, Myanzi Parish, on the night of July 8, 2026, and stole several items.

The stolen property included three water pumps, a grinding machine, a drilling machine, a compressor, and other equipment valued at Shs21.3 million.

The incident was reported to Kassanda Police Station by the factory manager and translator, Solomon Baba.

Police officers, led by the Kassanda Scene of Crime Officer, visited and processed the scene before deploying a police canine unit, which tracked the suspects’ trail to Katooke Village.

Some of the stolen items were recovered after they were abandoned along the route. Although the canine later lost the trail, police continued with intelligence-led investigations.

On July 9, 2026, police arrested two suspects, Charles Opio and George Atuhaire, both of whom had previously worked at the factory.

During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to participating in the break-in and told investigators they had acted together with three other individuals.

They also revealed that the stolen equipment had been transported to the home of a man identified only as Musilamu in Katooke Village.

Police later arrested a third suspect, identified only as Ramer, from the factory premises on July 11, 2026, at about 9:00 a.m.

According to police, Atuhaire and Ramer were employees of the factory at the time of the theft, while Opio and the two suspects still on the run were former employees.

Police have since recovered all the stolen equipment.

Wamala Regional Police Spokesperson SSP Lameck Kigozi said investigations are ongoing and efforts to arrest the remaining suspects have been intensified.

“Following intelligence-led operations, three suspects have so far been arrested and all the stolen exhibits recovered. Efforts are underway to arrest the remaining suspects who are still at large,” SSP Kigozi said.

He added that the suspects will be arraigned in court once the Resident State Attorney sanctions charges of store breaking and theft.

“The suspects will be produced before court as soon as the Resident State Attorney in Kassanda District sanctions the charges against them,” he noted.

SSP Kigozi also cautioned workers against engaging in criminal activities that could undermine investment in the region.

“We appeal to all people employed by investors in the region to resist the temptation of stealing. Such acts not only attract criminal penalties but can also discourage potential investors from establishing businesses in our communities,” he said.

Police said investigations into the case are ongoing as security agencies continue pursuing the remaining suspects.