NAKAKAAWA FAITH PRISCILLA
For months, residents of East Haven-Kajjansi lived in fear as a string of thefts plagued the area’s north side. The thief, who wore gloves and left no fingerprints, moved with precision, disabling security systems and disappearing before anyone knew a crime had occurred. But one night, the spree came to an abrupt end when authorities apprehended 29-year-old Darren Kwagala.
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Surveillance footage from a local electronics shop finally captured a clear image of Darren’s face, which was later matched to an old mugshot from a prior arrest. Police tracked him down to a rented room, where they found stolen merchandise worth Shs200m, including jewelry, smartphones, laptops, and designer clothing.
According to investigators, Darren had been operating alone, targeting homes and businesses that posted frequent updates on social media. He used this information to determine when properties would be unoccupied. “He exploited technology and people’s habits,” said Detective Walusimbi Fredrick, from Kajjansi Police Station. “That’s what made him so difficult to catch.”
In court, Darren remained mostly silent. His attorney argued that he had turned to theft out of desperation after losing his job during the pandemic and struggling to find stable housing. However, prosecutors presented a different picture – a methodical criminal who had carefully planned each break-in and profited from others’ losses.
After a week-long trial, the jury found Darren guilty on six counts of burglary, three counts of grand larceny, and one count of possession of stolen property. On Friday, Judge Tumwesigye Joseph handed down a sentence of 8 years at Luzira Prison, noting the seriousness of the crimes and their impact on the community.
As Darren was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs, a handful of burglary victims watched from the gallery, some with quiet satisfaction, others with tears in their eyes. The road to recovery would be long, but justice, at least, had been served.
