Kalungu East Member of Parliament-elect Yusuf Junior Kiruuta, popularly known as Nkerettanyi, appeared in Buganda Road Court on Friday over allegations of theft and receiving stolen property. The 29-year-old legislator, who recently defeated former Agriculture Minister Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja, is accused of allegedly receiving curtains valued at 3.7 billion shillings that were reportedly stolen.

According to the prosecution, Kiruuta is said to have received and retained twelve rolls of curtain material at Eagle Plaza in Kampala’s Central Division between 2018 and January 2022, while allegedly knowing or having reason to believe the items were stolen. The curtains reportedly belong to businessman Hajji Sulaiman Lwabuuka Kisuule.

Kiruuta faces the charges alongside four others: businessman John Tamale of Kiwanga Jomayi in Seeta, Mukono District; Ivan Zziwa of Namugongo Mbalwa; Hamza Mugumya, a shop attendant from Bulwadda Cell, Matuga in Wakiso District; and housewife Shamirah Nakacwa Muliika of Bweya, Kajjansi Town Council. Nakacwa is accused of allegedly stealing the curtains, which were later allegedly received by her co-accused.

Court records show the case dates back to December 2024. Nakacwa was reportedly the first to be arrested, while the other suspects were apprehended during the investigation. The complainant told the court that Nakacwa, his wife, allegedly facilitated the theft by switching off CCTV cameras that could have captured the incident.

Kiruuta has denied all charges, and his co-accused have also pleaded not guilty. He was subsequently released on bail, with the next hearing scheduled for March 9, 2026.

URN