Rwanda National Police yesterday paraded a man who is alleged to have stolen UShs36 million (about Rwf8 million) from a Ugandan engineering company and fled to Rwanda. Of the stolen money, Police also managed to recover $2,700 and UShs3.3 million from the suspect, identified as Brian Akankwasa, who was arrested last week in Kacyiru, Gasabo District. The recovered money was handed over to the owner, January Bamanzi, the proprietor of Engineering Works Ltd.Akankwasa allegedly stole the money on December 15 from the offices of Engineering Works Ltd, and immediately crossed over to Rwanda. The suspect was handed over to Ugandan police, who transferred him to Uganda where he will be charged with robbery. Speaking to the media after receiving the money, Bamanzi praised Rwanda National Police for its swift response to cross-border crimes, and in recovering his money. “After learning that the suspect entered Rwanda, I came to Rwanda and filed a case. Officers worked tirelessly and kept me updated on the progress in their investigations until his arrest. This is impressive, I didn’t expect all this to happen this fast, and I am really thankful to Rwandan Police,” said Bamanzi. He said the suspect was his former employee, who was fired about four months ago, and could have forged a key that he used to access the room to steal from. The suspect told Police that he had used part of the money to buy motorcycles, which he said he would sell and refund the money. “With advanced technology and cooperation between our security agencies, I can assure you no one case escape the long hand of the law,” said Police Spokesperson Celestin Twahirwa. RNP handed over the suspect to Kigezi Region Deputy Police Commander Enock Ndyomugenyi, who also hailed the cooperation between Uganda and Rwandan Police forces. “We pledge to continue with this kind of cooperation to ensure that no criminal from either country can escape or hide in another,” Ndyomugenyi said. In a related development, on December 3, Rwanda National Police also handed over USh11 million (about Rwf2.5 million) to a Rwandan businessman in Uganda after it was recovered from a thief who had crossed into Rwanda. In January, Police also handed over Rwf8 million to a Ugandan businessman part of the money which had been stolen from him in Kabale, Uganda. editorial@newtimees.co.rw
