Key suspects in the theft of shs10.6m from ATMs in Lira and Gulu Cities identified

Lira City Central Police Station officers apprehended two people on charges of stealing shs10,600,000.

The money belonged to Mary Judith Alip, a 59-year-old. These people allegedly stole money from several banks’ automated teller machines (ATMs).

According to SP Jimmy Patrick Okema, the North Kyoga Region’s PRO, on September 15, 2024, at around 8:30 a.m., Mary Judith Alip, an accountant with Lango Cooperative Union, attempted to withdraw funds from a Housing Finance automated machine.

However, the machine failed, prompting her to try the Stanbic Bank automated machine with her VISA ATM card, which also failed due to network problems.

SP Okema stated that when Alip returned home, she checked her account balance using the Housing Finance Bank App and discovered a shs4,000.00 difference.

“She promptly contacted customer service, who suggested that the issue might be related to network problems. Later, at approximately 12:09 pm, she received a notification from customer service regarding unauthorised withdrawals of shs2,000,000 from her mother bank’s automated machine at 9:09 am and another shs2,000,000 from Stanbic Bank at 9:11 am.

“Additionally, a further withdrawal of shs6,600,000 occurred at the Centenary ATM at Shell Gulu City around 12:09 pm, bringing the total to shs10,600,000.”

According to the PRO, Mary Judith Alip, a resident of Junior Quarters “A” cell, Adyel Ward, Lira City West Division, reported the theft to Lira City CPS, and Isabella Alip, a 33-year-old Junior Quarters resident, provided a statement.

Okema stated that relevant witnesses’ statements were recorded, documents were collected, and the suspects’ mobile phones were seized to aid in the investigation.

“In the aftermath of this incident, the police are retrieving CCTV footage, examining ATM cards, and pursuing additional suspects,” said SP Okema.

Ongora Peter, a 35-year-old businessman from Jinja Camp “A” cell, Central Ward, Lira City West Division, is one of the two detained suspects.

His accomplice is Rubangakene Innocent, a 28-year-old boda-boda rider from Gangdyang cell in Kitgum district.

Their file will be compiled and sent to the Resident City State Attorney for review and legal counsel, Okema said.

“We encourage and urge anyone who believes they have been affected by this incident to contact the police to assist with the investigation.”