Tororo, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A team from crime intelligence directorate has arrested Ugandan socialite Charles Olim popularly known as Sipapa over a sh1.6 billion robbery from a South Sudanese national Jacob Arok.
For the last five days, crime intelligence and criminal investigations directorate have been hunting for Sipapa after items stolen from Arok’s home in Kawuku, Bunga, in Makindye Division in Kampala were recovered from his residence at Kityo Close, Buwate village, in Kira Municipality.
Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga confirmed that Sipapa has been nabbed by the crime intelligence team which immediately handed him over to CID who had registered a case of aggravated robbery on August 29 at Kabalagala Policing Division.
“We wish to inform the public that the Directorate of Crime Intelligence has arrested a one Olim Charles Sipapa, who was on the Police wanted list for aggravated robbery which occurred at the home of Jacob Arok, in Kawuku-Bunga, on the night of 28th August 2022,” Enanga said.
Sipapa’s home was located using an iCloud signal from one of the four iPhones that were stolen from Arok’s home alongside two Apple laptops, a Dell laptop, gold jewelry for his wife and a 65-inch Samsung TV.
“During the subsequent investigations, detectives from KMP tracked down an iCloud signal, from one of the stolen iPhones, that led them to the location in Kityo close, Buwate in Kira Division, and they interviewed the occupants, who told them that the home belonged to a one Olim Charles SIPAPA, who was not at home and had travelled to Tororo,” Enanga said.
Detectives conducted a search at Sipapa’s home four days ago in the presence of his wife Nakiyimba Shamira. Police recovered exhibits which is believed to be of evidential nature that include USD 70,000, 4 iPhones, 3 laptops, gold jewelry, an iPhone charger and a mac pro charger.
Apart from the exhibits that were stolen from Arok’s home, crime intelligence and CID detectives further collected exhibits of motor vehicle number plates UBG 025B, UBA 023U, 2 amplifiers, 6 tool boxers, 4 sports vims, a rear car seat, 12 head lights, indicators, jeep bumper, and V8 bumper.
Other exhibits included a V8 rear boot doors, bonnet, 3 radiators, 4 inner door shutters, V8 rear boot doors, 7 grills, two cars a jeep and Audi that, without registration plates, had been resprayed with a red colour and found in the compound.
The arrest of Sipapa brings the number of suspects arrested over robbery at Arok’s home to five. Police had earlier arrested four including his wife Nakiyimba. At the time of searching his Buwate home, Sipapa was in Nagongera, Soni and Nawire sub counties in Tororo district splashing money to locals in the presence of his bouncers.
Sipapa has been causing chaos on roads by stopping in the middle or at busy junctions in order to distribute money to crowds. Before and after the contested 2021 presidential elections, Sipapa several times went to NUP offices in Kamwokya and cause chaos by shooting in the air or even at the gate.
At the time of provoking NUP, Sipapa was having military guards. They were however withdrawn early this year after he knocked a driver and threatened to shoot him.
The IGP Martin Ochola ordered for his arrest and impounding of his vehicle. However, the IGP’s order was not effected until the robbery at Arok’s home.
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