Police in Namisindwa District have arrested the chairperson of Bumwango Village, Rogers Haluma, in connection with the theft of eight desktop computers from Namboko Seed Secondary School.
Haluma, who also served as the school’s night guard, was arrested alongside an accomplice, Martin Wanyakala, while a third suspect remains at large.
The theft occurred during the night of July 29, 2025. According to police, Haluma left his post shortly after midnight, allegedly to check on his wife at home, located just 100 meters from the school premises.
He returned around 3:00 a.m. and claimed to have found the computer laboratory broken into.
Elgon Region Police spokesperson Rogers Taitika said Haluma reported the incident to the LC3 chairperson, who then informed the school administration.
The case was registered at Bubutu Police Post, and a canine unit was dispatched from Mbale to assist with investigations.
“The K9 tracked the scent directly to Haluma’s residence,” said Taitika. “Further searches in the vicinity led to the recovery of exhibits including computer cables, pliers, and computer cloth covers discarded about 50 meters from the lab.”
Preliminary investigations suggest the theft was an inside job. Police found no signs of forced entry at the main entrance to the computer lab, which was securely locked with an intact padlock.
Haluma is one of the few individuals known to have access to the keys.
Investigators believe the perpetrators used the keys to gain access and exited through the rear door, which was found partially open.
The thieves reportedly stole eight out of the 20 desktop computers in the lab, carefully cutting off power cables with tools believed to be the pliers recovered at the scene.
Although the school compound is equipped with CCTV cameras, none were operational at the time due to a power blackout, denying investigators crucial visual evidence.
Both suspects are currently in police custody at Bubutu Police Post as efforts continue to track down the third accomplice and recover the stolen equipment.
