Fingerprint evidence links imprisoned socialite Sipapa to the robbery scene

A breakthrough in the trial of socialite Charles Olimu, alias Sipapa, and his wife Shamira Nakiyemba, accused of aggravated robbery and money laundering, came on Tuesday when a state witness linked the couple to the crime scene through fingerprints.
Mr Pius Chanimong, 60, a fingerprint expert and retired officer attached to the Directorate of Forensic Services under the Criminal Identification Division he headed, testified as the fifth prosecution witness.

During his examination-in-chief conducted by Senior State Counsel Edward Muhumuza, Mr Chanimong explained that he had accessed the investigation team’s evidence for analysis and comparison on fingerprints of fingers and feet. Among the evidence examined was the money and four envelopes from the crime scene. .

“After the conclusion and analysis, I made a blind pass where I forwarded the file to the next person without giving them my findings to avoid duplication. “I told Godfrey, Assistant Inspector of Police, on Friday that I had written down my findings and wanted him to do the same,” Mr Chanimong testified.
Adding… “After discovering that we had the same findings, I went ahead and prepared a report of the general examination of the fingerprints concluding that the suspect’s fingerprints were found on several items.”

The court further heard that all eight fingerprints of the victims on the envelope found at the crime scene were negative, except for the suspect Olimu, who was clear.
When asked why he made his analysis based on Olimu’s left middle fingerprint, Mr Chanimong told the court it was the only visible one among the others.
Judge Michael Elubu adjourned the case to November 12 for further hearing of the prosecution witnesses.

Prosecution case
It is alleged that Sipapa, a businessman who deals in gold, cars and promoter of musicians, and Nakiyemba, a designer and others who were still at large in Bunga Kawuku, Makindye Division on the night of August 29, 2022, were engaged in money laundering.
The prosecution further alleges that the duo robbed, among other or after using a substance on Arok that rendered them unconscious.

On charges of money laundering, the prosecutor alleges that the duo for the purpose of concealing or disguising the illegal origin of over Shs7.5 billion ordered by Olimu for musical instruments, a Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Cherokee, Audi, land cruiser, landrover, Samsung had bought. TV 85 inches, motorcycle, rear bumper for a jeep, trunk door, four belts of motor vehicles, ten drilling equipment, two amplifiers, two suspected gold bars resembling among others that have reason to believe that the said properties were proceeds of crime.

Some of the evidence the prosecution relies on to pin down the couple includes; search certificate including evidence recovered from their home, a police form showing peeling skin and for Mayendit showing that he was drowsy and mentally unstable, including agreement on the sale of land belonging to the victims.
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