Kenyan Woman Charged with Theft at Ugandan Airport

Rose Maina Nyambura, a 28-year-old Kenyan resident of Bweyogerere, Kampala, appeared before Senior Magistrate Tibayeita Edgar at Entebbe Court yesterday on charges of theft related to a coordinated operation at Entebbe International Airport.

According to Vianney Luggya, Public Affairs Manager for the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), the incident occurred on March 30, 2025. Nyambura allegedly collaborated with accomplices—referred to as "dealers"—to steal a bag belonging to a passenger, Dr Sconfield Phillip Wolfgang Thomas, at the airport's car park. The bag contained an HP laptop, a charger, eyeglasses, a German passport, a black mouse, an iPhone charger cable, and other personal items.

The theft reportedly unfolded when Nyambura distracted the victim's driver by asking a series of uncoordinated questions, allowing her accomplices to seize the passenger's bag during the loading of luggage into the car. By the time the driver realized the theft had occurred and raised the alarm, Nyambura had disappeared. Security personnel swiftly launched an investigation, including reviewing CCTV footage, which led to her identification and arrest. The stolen bag was subsequently recovered and returned to its owner.

Despite the recovery of the stolen items, her accomplices remain at large. Appearing before Senior Magistrate Edgar Tusiime Tibayeita, she denied the charges but acknowledged understanding the case. She has been remanded into custody until her next court hearing on April 16, 2025. In light of the incident, Luggya emphasizes the importance of vigilance among airport users. 

"We have robust security systems in place to address such incidents," he stated, urging victims of theft to report incidents promptly to enable swift recovery of property and apprehension of culprits.

Luggya clarifies that Nyambura is not an employee of the airport and describes her activities as part of a broader pattern of theft reports previously recorded around airport facilities. He adds, "This is a Kenyan national who claims to have come to Uganda to hustle. Unfortunately, it appears she was involved in such criminal activities."

The UCAA spokesperson reiterates the agency's commitment to maintaining security at the airport, stressing that coordinated systems, including CCTV surveillance, are actively deployed to investigate and resolve incidents of theft.