Kampala hotel staff remanded over theft of $12,000 gift for South Sudan president

Hotel staff William Ssemata 39, in the dock on charges of theft of $12,000 meant for South Sudan President’s gift. Photo/ Juliet Kigongo.

A staff at a hotel in Kampala has been remanded to Luzira prison on allegations of stealing $12,000 (about Shs45 million), which money had reportedly been earmarked by a soldier to buy a gift for the President of South Sudan.

William Ssemata, 39, appeared before Grade One Magistrate Rophine Achayo at Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kampala on Monday.

Ssemata, a staff at the premier 5-star and a resident of Nansana Village in Wakiso District, is charged with theft contrary to Sections 237(1) and 244 of the Penal Code Act.

According to the charge sheet, Ssemata is alleged to have stolen the money on April 12, 2026, at the luxurious hotel in Kampala. The money is said to belong to Aaron Jeremiah Balla, a South Sudanese national and Brigadier General.

Prosecution led by Ms Grace Amy, requested the court for more time to conclude investigations.

“Investigations in this matter are still ongoing,” she said.

Magistrate Achayo remanded Ssemata to prison until May 13, when he is expected to appear before the trial Chief Magistrate Ritah Neumbe Kidasa for plea taking.

The prosecution alleges that on the day of the incident, Brig Gen Balla had just arrived in Uganda from Malaysia through Entebbe International Airport at around 4pm.

He reportedly had the said money in his possession, which he intended to use to procure a gift specifically a watch for the President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit.

In his statement to police, Brig Gen Balla said he exchanged part of the money upon arrival and set aside $12,000, which he kept in his luggage before proceeding to the said hotel.

Court documents indicate that upon arrival at the hotel, the complainant’s luggage comprising three suitcases and a handbag was received and screened by hotel staff, including Ssemata.

That Ssemata was then assigned to deliver the luggage to Balla’s room.

However, it is during this process that the money allegedly went missing.

According to the court documents, the CCTV footage from the hotel show Ssemata handling the luggage and entering a lift alone while transporting the items.

Notably, there are no surveillance cameras inside the lift, which authorities believe may have provided an opportunity for the alleged theft to occur undetected.

“No footage shows any other person accessing the luggage during that period,” states part of the court documents.

A statement from the hotel’s assistant security manager, Moses Olowo, further indicates that an internal review of CCTV footage and staff movements pointed to Ssemata as the only individual who had direct contact with the bags at the critical time.

“The internal checks and CCTV analysis identified Ssemata as the sole staff member in possession of the luggage before it reached the guest’s room,” Olowo said in his statement to police.

Following these findings, Ssemata was apprehended and later handed over to police on April 18, 2026, to assist with investigations.

Despite the allegations, Ssemata has not yet responded to the charges in court, as he is yet to take plea.