Guard wanted over sedating colleagues, orchestrating robbery at Amref offices

Police is actively pursuing Daniel Ekomu, a private security guard, who is accused of drugging his colleagues with sedated bananas before colluding with criminals to rob health NGO, Amref offices in Kampala’s Central Division.

Ekomu, along with two unnamed colleagues, was on duty when the incident occurred. He reportedly served his co-workers bananas laced with chloroform, causing them to lose consciousness. Upon discovering the unconscious guards and signs of vandalism at the office premises, their supervisor, Peter Ochwo, raised the alarm and contacted Kampala central police station (CPS). 

The police investigation revealed that Ekomu and the perpetrators disappeared with valuable property belonging to the organization, including a firearm magazine. 

CCTV footage captured the movement of the stolen vehicle, which was later found abandoned on the roadside. Luke Owoyesigyire, deputy spokesperson of the Kampala Metropolitan police confirmed that law enforcement agencies are pursuing Ekomu and his accomplices to recover the stolen property, which is estimated to be worth millions. 

Incidents of security guards collaborating with criminals to perpetrate thefts have become common, posing serious security risks and financial losses to businesses and organizations. In a separate case in December 2023, a police guard stationed at the residence of ambassador Barbra Nekesa Oundo in Bukasa-Muyenga orchestrated the theft of nearly Shs 3 billion cash. 

Similarly, a female suspect named Namuli Alima was arrested in Bugweri district for allegedly drugging security guards deployed at Bugadde Sacco with sedated soda. Additionally, in the last quarter of the previous year, two guards were incapacitated with chloroform at a Pepsi depot in Kamuli town council, Gomba district, allowing robbers to escape with Shs 17 million cash.