The Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court has remanded a porter from Serena Hotel, Kampala, to Luzira Prison for alleged theft of USD 12,000 belonging to a visiting South Sudanese military officer. William Ssemata, 39, appeared before Grade One Magistrate Rophine Achayo and was charged with one count of theft.
He is accused of stealing the money belonging to Aaron Jeremiah Balla Sudan, a Brigadier General in the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces. According to the charge sheet, Ssemata allegedly committed the offence on April 12, 2026, at Serena Hotel Kampala, contrary to Sections 237(1) and 244 of the Penal Code Act.
Prosecution alleges that Brig. Gen. Balla had arrived in Uganda from Malaysia via Entebbe International Airport carrying about USD 12,300, part of which had been given to him by the President of South Sudan for purchasing gifts, including a wristwatch. Records indicate that USD 300 was exchanged at the airport, leaving USD 12,000, which was reportedly kept for shopping purposes.
The court heard that upon arrival at the hotel, the complainant’s luggage—including three suitcases and a handbag—was received and screened by hotel staff, including the accused, who was assigned to deliver the bags to the guest’s room. Investigators say CCTV footage shows Ssemata handling the luggage and later entering a lift alone. However, there are no surveillance cameras inside the lift, which prosecutors say created a gap in monitoring.
A statement from Serena Hotel Assistant Security Manager Moses Olowo indicates that internal checks and CCTV review identified Ssemata as the only staff member in direct contact with the luggage during the critical period.
The prosecution, led by State Attorney Grace Amy, told the court that investigations are still ongoing as inquiries continue into the circumstances surrounding the missing money.
Ssemata was arrested and handed over to Central Police Station on April 18, 2026, before being arraigned in court, where he denied the charges.
Chief Magistrate Achayo remanded him to Luzira Prison until May 13, 2026, when the case will return for further hearing before Trial Magistrate Ritah Kidasa. URN