Suspected thieves raid NRM registrar’s home in Pader, steal laptop and cash

30 May 2025, 12:15

By James Patrick Odongo

Police in Pader district have launched a probe after burglars broke into the home of Okot Jimmy Katumba, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Registrar for the district, making away with valuables including a laptop used for party work.

The break-in occurred on the night of May 28, 2025, and left Katumba counting losses. Among the stolen items were a personal laptop computer believed to contain key NRM documents, a suitcase worth UGX 80,000, UGX 140,000 in cash, and a pair of bedsheets.

Efforts to trace the culprits using a police sniffer dog were unsuccessful, with Katumba attributing the failure to interference at the crime scene by curious residents.

Pader District Police Commander, SP Jackson Bogere, confirmed the incident and said investigations are ongoing. He emphasised the police’s commitment to tracking down the perpetrators and recovering the stolen property.

SP Bogere has recently been at the forefront of fighting crime in the district, spearheading door-to-door awareness campaigns and cracking down on vandalism and stray animal issues.

The incident comes on the heels of a national decline in crime. According to Uganda Police’s 2024 Annual Crime Report released in February 2025, the country recorded a 4.1% drop in reported criminal cases compared to 2023. Theft, assault, domestic violence, and break-ins remain among the top reported crimes.

As the investigation unfolds, the break-in at the home of a key political figure adds to growing concerns over local security and the effectiveness of community-police coordination in preserving crime scenes.