Prosecutors further told the Court that the accused persons have the resources to aid them jump bail with ease, delay progress of the case and tamper with witnesses.
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The accused persons Appearing before the Court
The Kampala Capital City Hall Court has remanded five people to Luzira Prison on charges related to modification of more than 3,000 phones which were initially obtained on loans.
Those remanded are:
Nelson Mukisa a resident of Matuga in Wakiso District, Benjamin Ssekama a Barber resident of Bugooba Village Seeta in Mukono District, Umaru Nsubuga a resident of Bukoto Parish Nakawa Division , Michelle Martin alias Hassan a technician resident of Nansana Municipality and Joseph Kyakuwa a resident of Natete Rubaga Division.
The accused persons allegedly conspired to obtain phones on loan basis from Asset Financing Companies and then afterwards flashed out the software with an intent to defraud them and also fail to pay loans.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Patrick Onyango says the accused flash the serial numbers of the phones and they change their appearance and when the companies look for them through tracking devices, they are unable to detect them.
As a result, charges of theft have today been levied against the five accused persons before Grade One Magistrate Edgar Kakaire.
The Prosecution alleges that during the month of February 2024 at Watu Credit Offices Bukoto Street Kamokya in Kampala District, they stole the phones which were a property of Watu Credit Limited.
They applied for bail after denying the charges but didn't succeed.
This was after the Prosecution informed the Court that the Complainant, Watu Credit Limited, has lost so many assets to these practices of flashing and theft of mobile devices.
Court heard that the victim will continue to lose more if the accused persons are granted bail and continue their practices will force the company out of the business.
Prosecution further indicated that this crime has become rampant and it is syndicated in nature depriving citizens of their right to property and defrauding Asset Financing Companies of income and that the accused in this case are believed to be the key players in the theft and flashing of mobile phone computer systems.
Prosecutors further told the Court that the accused persons have the resources to aid them jump bail with ease and in the process delay the progress of the case and that they are likely to tamper with the witnesses.
In his ruling, the Magistrate Kakaire agreed with the Prosecution that the offense is rampant even though the sureties are substantial.
He chose to prioritize the trial and remanded until November 28th 2024.
The accused persons were arrested through tracking them down and were caught on October 4th 2024.
Police has warned the public to desist from such behaviours saying that whoever engages themselves the acts will be apprehended and taken to courts of law to face justice.
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