Uganda, April 27 -- A staff at a hotel in Kampala has been remanded to Luzira prison on allegations of stealing $12,000 (about Shs45 million), which money had reportedly been earmarked by a soldier to buy a gift for the President of South Sudan.

William Ssemata, 39, appeared before Grade One Magistrate Rophine Achayo at Buganda Road Chief Magistrate's Court in Kampala on Monday.

Ssemata, a staff at the premier 5-star and a resident of Nansana Village in Wakiso District, is charged with theft contrary to Sections 237(1) and 244 of the Penal Code Act.

According to the charge sheet, Ssemata is alleged to have stolen the money on April 12, 2026, at the luxurious hotel in Kampala. The money is said to belong to Aaron Jeremiah Balla, a South...