KAMPALA, Uganda — A porter attached to the Kampala Serena Hotel has been remanded to Luzira Prison over the alleged theft of $12,000 (approximately Shs 45 million) belonging to a visiting South Sudanese military officer.
William Ssemata, 39, appeared before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court and was charged with one count of theft. He denied the charge.
The court, presided over by Grade One Magistrate Rophine Achayo, ordered that he be remanded to Luzira Prison until May 13, 2026, when the case will come up for further mention before trial magistrate Ritah Kidasa.
According to the charge sheet, Ssemata is accused of stealing the money on April 12, 2026, at the hotel. The cash is said to belong to Brig Gen Aaron Jeremiah Balla Sudan of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces.
Prosecution told the court that the officer had travelled to Uganda from Malaysia via Entebbe International Airport with $12,300. Part of the money had reportedly been given to him by the President of South Sudan for purchasing gifts, including a wristwatch.
Court proceedings heard that $300 was exchanged at the airport, leaving $12,000, which the complainant retained.
Upon arrival at the hotel, the officer’s luggage, three suitcases and a handbag, was received and screened by staff, including the accused, who had been assigned to deliver the items to the guest’s room.
Investigators say CCTV footage shows Ssemata handling the luggage and later entering a lift alone. However, the absence of surveillance cameras inside the lift has been identified as a key gap during a critical period of movement.
A statement from the hotel’s assistant security manager, Moses Olowo, indicated that internal reviews and CCTV analysis identified Ssemata as the only staff member in direct contact with the luggage at the relevant time.
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The prosecution, led by state attorney Grace Amy, told court that investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the missing funds.
Ssemata was arrested on April 18, 2026, and initially held at Central Police Station before being formally charged.
The case has drawn attention to security procedures in high-end hospitality establishments, particularly in relation to handling guests’ valuables and gaps in surveillance coverage.
Security experts note that while luxury hotels maintain strict protocols, incidents involving internal staff remain a key risk area, often prompting calls for enhanced monitoring systems and accountability mechanisms.
