NBS TV news anchor and reporter Canary Mugume and Entebbe Road-based Kaazi Beach Resort are embroiled in a war of words over alleged theft of the journalist’s laptop and claims of connivance between thugs and security guards.
It all began when Canary Mugume accused thugs at Kaazi Beach Resort of working with guards to break into vehicles to steal valuables.
Canary Mugume went as far as claiming that even officers of the Uganda Police Force based at Busabala could be part of the racket.
Mugume claimed that his friends were robbed at the beach resort only for police to appear to be on the side of the thugs.
“There’s a beach off Entebbe road called Kaazi beach resort. Place is full of thugs who have car master keys and remotes. They open people’s cars and run away with laptops, plus any other property they find. They seem to be working with Busabala Police, sadly. They robbed my friends over the weekend, and Police was on their side. I thought it was a rare incident but a friend who listened to the story said that she had been robbed about a year ago. Same tactics,” the NBS TV reporter claimed.
“These thugs also work as private security guards, others are part of management. Case was reported to police and a file opened but it took involvement of senior offices who first threatened to arrest the officer in charge. Bags that were containing laptops were dropped in Munyonyo the next day, of course with the laptops missing. They were discovered by the LC1 chairman of the area. Investigations are ongoing but if not concluded, I’ll release recordings of management of the place, and the OC!”
KAAZI BEACH RESORT FIRES BACK
In response, Kaazi Beach Resort described Canary Mugume’s claims as “false, malicious, scandalous and defamatory series of tweets.”
“Mr Mugume’s decision to use his twitter account to slander our business is unfortunate and we reserve any rights we have under the laws of Uganda,” management said.
The management of Kaazi Beach Resort says that on Saturday night, Canary Mugume was “very drunk” when he claimed that a laptop was stolen from his car in the parking lot.
“Our parking has a visible sign advising customers not to leave valuables in the car and we offer to keep them for customers at the reception,” added Kaazi Beach Resort management.
The management of this happening place also accuses Canary Mugume of refusing to make a statement at the police, choosing to jump off a police vehicle and disappearing at about 30 minutes before midnight on Saturday.
“When Mr Mugume complained to us, we alerted the Police and the OC Busabala came to the scene but Mr Mugume refused to make a statement and instead attacked the Police officer,” further stated Kaazi Beach Resort Management in their response to Canary Mugume’s allegations.
“The drunk Mr Mugume then raised a more senior police officer, the DPC Katwe, and he was driven in a Police vehicle to the Katwe Police station to record a statement. Before reaching the Police station, at around 11.30pm, Mr Mugume jumped off the vehicle and disappeared. Mr Mugume did not record any statement, despite the fact that the DPC Katwe had personally come to the station to handle the case.”
The beach resort’s managers have also wondered why thugs would only single out Canary Mugume’s car.
“At the time of the alleged incident we had very many cars parked. It is curious as to why the ‘thugs’ with ‘master keys’ as alleged by Mr Mugume only had access to his car.”
With Mugume reportedly jumping off a police vehicle, a private security guard at Kaazi Beach Resort was briefly detained and released on bond.
Kaazi Beach Resort has denied that their security guards are thugs.
“Our security guards are not ‘thugs,’ as alleged, but employees of SWATT Security, a registered, regulated private security organisation,” the managers added.
Canary Mugume is one of the most connected and richest young TV journalists in Uganda. A few months ago, Canary Mugume left Ugandans in shock when he reportedly arrived for a ‘date’ in a Mpenkoni car, with police guards, just like a top government official. (Read Story and Watch Video HERE).
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