By Aggrey Baba
H.E Yoweri Museveni has ordered fresh investigations into how two suspects linked to an extortion and plot to murder a foreign investor were granted bail and later cleared of charges.
In a letter dated October 3, 2025, Museveni instructed Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo to review the case of Joram Itungo, a former State House employee who was recently acquitted by the Buganda Road Court, also directing the Commander of the Special Forces Command (SFC), Maj. Gen. David Mugisha, to investigate the release and disappearance of Bagamuho Kato, a soldier attached to Defence Intelligence and Security (formerly CMI), as reported by today’s Weekend Vision.
Museveni argues that there were serious concerns about how both suspects managed to regain their freedom despite facing grave accusations. He questioned the court process that led to Itungo’s acquittal and expressed similar concerns about the Kato’s disappearance shortly after being granted bail.
The president also instructed the SFC to pursue the matter without fear or hesitation, emphasizing that he would not tolerate what he described as criminal behaviour within the ranks.
The directive follows reports of renewed threats to Carlos Cohen, the same Portuguese investor who operates Feldstein Trading Ltd, a gold refinery in Ntinda. Cohen’s troubles began in August 2023, when armed officers from different security agencies allegedly raided his offices without a warrant.
According to Cohen, the group of officers identified themselves as personnel from the Police, the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), and the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA), who reportedly searched his premises, confiscated money, and accused him of money laundering and terrorism-related activities.
Cohen said that during the raid, about USD 52,000 went missing from his company safe and that the officers later demanded a USD 1 million ransom to stop investigations against him. He later reported the matter to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and copied his letter to the President, explaining that the incident had been recorded on the company’s CCTV cameras, which were linked to his office in Dubai. The footage, he said, captured the entire search and the actions of the operatives.
MUSEVENI’S INITIAL RESPONSE
When the matter was brought to his attention in late 2023, he expressed dismay over what had happened to the investor, and instructed the Police to investigate the case promptly and to ensure that those responsible were held accountable.
The President also assured Cohen that firm action would be taken against anyone found to have harassed or stolen from him.
His directive prompted the Police to intensify investigations, leading to several arrests, including that of Itungo, the former State House employee. The suspects were later charged with conspiracy to murder Cohen, after investigators received statements suggesting that some individuals had discussed plans to harm him.
However, the case against Itungo eventually collapsed. On August 18, 2025, Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi of the Buganda Road Court acquitted him, ruling that prosecutors had not proven the existence of any agreement between the accused and others to commit the alleged crime, noting that the evidence presented did not show a conspiracy between Itungo and the key witness.
At the same time, Kato, the soldier linked to Defence Intelligence and Security, was granted bail but later disappeared in thin air, and his whereabouts remain unknown until now.
The president’s new letter to the Chief Justice and the SFC Commander came after reports that Cohen had once again received threats from individuals believed to be connected to the original case. In response, the Museveni instructed Owiny-Dollo to review how the court handled Itungo’s acquittal and directed the SFC to trace the missing soldier and establish how he was released.
The President’s latest directive highlights ongoing concerns about accountability in Uganda’s justice and security systems, reflecting his dissatisfaction with how sensitive criminal cases (especially those involving investor protection and alleged misconduct by security personnel) are being handled.
For Museveni, who has spent years encouraging foreign investors to come and invest in Uganda, Cohen’s case has become a test of Uganda’s commitment to protecting investors from abuse. His intervention signals a broader effort to ensure that such incidents are not only investigated but also followed through with consistent enforcement of justice. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
